Choir exhibit features 75 years
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A visual glimpse into the history of the world's longest running network broadcast opened with the snip of a ribbon Nov. 21 in the Museum of Church History and Art.
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve made the ceremonial cut to open the exhibition, "Music and the Spoken Word — Celebrating 75 Years of Mormon Tabernacle Choir Radio Broadcasts."
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Presidency of the Seventy conducted the ceremony. Mac Christensen, president of the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop, the choir's musical director; and Bruce Reese, CEO of Bonne- ville Communications, joined Elder Hales in making brief comments during the ceremony.
Elder Hales spoke of the role the choir shouldered during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Also, he recalled memories from his boyhood in New York, as on Sunday evenings he lay on the floor and listened with his family to the choir's "Music and the Spoken Word" radio broadcast. He said others throughout the world have similar memories.
President Christensen said that the yearlong commemoration of 75 years of broadcasting has "taken off . . . like a fast train." He explained that while the actual anniversary will be July 15, 2004, commemorative events began during the choir's 2003 summer tour to the northeastern United States. He said a concert in New York City's Lincoln Center July 2 was the official kickoff of the commemoration.
Brother Jessop spoke of the presentation of the National Medal of Arts to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir by President George W. Bush in a ceremony in the White House Nov. 12. He said it was a singular honor to stand in the Oval Office and witness the presentation of the medal. He thanked "those who went before," and said that he is mindful of the sacrifices they made.
Brother Reese said that a museum is "a wonderful place to preserve for ourselves and our children landmark events." He spoke of the choir's unprecedented number of continual radio broadcasts, noting that the program on Sunday, Nov. 23, was No. 3,875 of "Music and the Spoken Word."
He also announced that the "Music and the Spoken Word" will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Hall of Fame on April 20.
In a press release about the induction, Brother Jessop said, "We are so pleased and grateful to be chosen by the NAB for this honor. It becomes even more significant for us to receive it during our 75th anniversary year, and when we consider the long list of accomplished names that are part of the NAB Hall of Fame roster."
Other inductees include broadcasting legends Bob Hope, Edward Murrow, Jack Benny, George Burns, Paul Harvey, Bing Crosby, Red Skelton and Benny Goodman.
The program is produced, marketed and distributed by Bonneville Communications.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by several present and past officers and staff members from the choir, including former director Jerold D. Ottley and his wife, JoAnne Ottley, the choir's voice coach; former associate director Ronald Ripplinger; and former Tabernacle organist Robert Cundick. Lloyd K. Newell and J. Spencer Kinard, present and former "Music and the Spoken Word" narrators, respectively, also attended.
"This exhibit contains hundreds of items that collectively tell the story of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 'Music and the Spoken Word,' " said Glen M. Leonard, director of the Museum of Church History and Art. "Anyone who loves the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will enjoy this exhibit."
The display includes a broad range of historical artifacts such as documents, photos, awards and recordings. Also included are original batons, items from the choir wardrobe and the original microphone used in the first broadcast.
"One of the most unique displays is the Austin organ console used from 1938 until 1947," said Mark Staker, curator of the exhibit. Artifacts near the console include former organist Alexander Schreiner's black wool cape with red lining and organist Frank Asper's black leather shoes.
Visitors to the exhibit may listen to a few original recordings. Brother Staker said that from nearly 4,000 inspirational messages given throughout the years, seven were chosen, one from each decade since 1930, to replay at listening stations in the exhibit.
"We chose messages that observed significant historical events throughout the 20th century," he said. "For the 1940s we chose a powerful World War II message given by Richard L. Evans the Sunday after V-E Day, when the allies declared victory in Europe. From the 1970s we chose the message given by J. Spencer Kinard on the celebration of the United States Bicentennial."
Nearly two dozen historical radios are on display in the exhibit, starting with an original crystal set dating back to the era of the first broadcast.
The exhibit can be seen from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays.
The museum will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Dec. 24. It will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The museum is located at 45 North West Temple in Salt Lake City. Admission is free.
