The Tabernacle Choir At Temple Square
Brief History - 23 March, 2024

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The Mormon Tabernacle choir first sang on August 22, 1847 (twenty-nine days after the pioneers had entered the Salt Lake Valley) at the first General Conference to be held in Utah. This conference met in a 28' x 40' "Bowery" with adobe walls and brush and earth roof. Three successively larger boweries replaced the first one.

John Parry, conductor (1849-1854)
In 1849 Brigham Young invited Welsh convert John Parry to organize a choir for the next general conference, and this choir formed the nucleus around which the church's choral tradition grew.
The first, or "Old," Tabernacle was completed in 1851.

Stephen H. Goddard, conductor (1854-1856)
James Smithies, conductor (1856-1862)
A small organ handcrafted in Australia and brought to Utah by Joseph Ridges was installed in 1857. Karl G. Maeser, Fannie Young Thatcher, Sarah Coke, Orson Pratt, Jr., and John M. Chamberlain served as organists in the "Old" Tabernacle.

John M. Chamberlain wrote the words and music to the hymn, "We Are Marching On To Glory" (Hymns, number 225, 1985).
Charles John Thomas, conductor (1862-1865)
Robert Sands, conductor (1865-1869)

In October, 1867 the present dome-roofed Tabernacle was completed, including a new and larger organ built by Joseph Ridges and Niels Johnson.

The Ridges organ had 2,000 pipes. The most notable feature from pioneer days is the central portion of the large organ case. The famous golden pipes, made of wood staves fashioned from Utah timber, still play today.
October 6, 1867, the choir of 150 voices sang for the sessions of the Church Conference, accompanied by the new organ, at that time the largest in America.

Joseph J. Daynes, the first Tabernacle organist (1867-1900).
Joseph J. Daynes wrote many hymns, including the following:
"Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice", (music) (Hymns, number 21, 1985).
"Now We'll Sing with One Accord", (music) (Hymns, number 25, 1985).
"Great God, Attend While Zion Sings", (music) (Hymns, number 88, 1985).
"Lord, Accept Our True Devotion", (music) (Hymns, number 107, 1985).
"As the Dew from Heaven Distilling", (music) (Hymns, number 149, 1985), which has been used at the close of many Choir broadcasts.

George Careless, conductor (1869-1880)
In 1869, English convert George Careless, a professional musician from London, was appointed director of the choir.
George Careless wrote a number of hymns, including:
"The Morning Breaks", (music) (Hymns, number 1, 1985).
"Arise, O Glorious Zion", (music) (Hymns, number 40, 1985).
"Though Deepening Trials", (music) (Hymns, number 122, 1985).
"Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire", (music) (Hymns, number 145, 1985).
"O Thou Kind and Gracious Father", (music) (Hymns, number 150, 1985).
"O Lord of Hosts", (music) (Hymns, number 178, 1985).
"Again We Meet Around the Board", (music) (Hymns, number 186, 1985).
"Behold The Great Redeemer Die", (music) (Hymns, number 191, 1985).
"He Died! The Great Redeemer Died", (music) (Hymns, number 192, 1985).

July 4, 1873, the first Tabernacle Choir concert was presented in the Tabernacle.
Ebenezer Beesely, conductor (1880-89), with Thomas C. Griggs, assistant.
Ebenezer Beesely wrote numerous hymns, including:
"High on the Mountain Top", (music) (Hymns, number 5, 333, 1985).
"What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold", (music) (Hymns, number 16, 1985).
"The Happy Day at Last Has Come" (music) (Hymns, number 32, 1985), which was the Belgium Antwerp mission song when I served there.
"God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee", (music) (Hymns, number 76, 1985).
"Great Is the Lord", (music) (Hymns, number 77, 1985).
"Sing We Now at Parting", (music) (Hymns, number 156, 1985).
"'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love", (music) (Hymns, number 177, 1985).
"Revrently And Meekly Now", (music) (Hymns, number 185, 1985).
"Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words", (music) (Hymns, number 232, 1985).
"Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning", (music) (Hymns, number 280, 1985).
"We Meet Again in Sabbath School", (music) (Hymns, number 282, 1985).

Neils Johnson enlarged the organ in 1885.
Evan Stephens, Director (1890-1916), with Horace S. Ensign, assistant.
Evan Stephens wrote many hymns, including:
"What Was Witnessed in the Heavens?", (music) (Hymns, number 11, 1985).
"Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!", (music) (Hymns, number 17, 1985).
"The Voice of God Again Is Heard", (text and music) (Hymns, number 18, 1985).
"We Ever Pray for Thee", (text and music) (Hymns, number 23, 312, 1985).
"Our Mountain Home So Dear", (music) (Hymns, number 33, 1985).
"For the Strength of the Hills", (music) (Hymns, number 35, 1985).
"Lo, the Mighty God Appearing", (music) (Hymns, number 55, 1985).
"Raise Your Voices to the Lord", (text and music) (Hymns, number 61, 1985).
"Praise Ye the Lord", (music) (Hymns, number 74, 1985).
"Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Raise", (text and music) (Hymns, number 91, 1985).
"Ye Simple Souls Who Stray", (music) (Hymns, number 118, 1985).
"Lean on My Ample Arm", (music) (Hymns, number 120, 1985).
"In Rembrance of Thy Suffering", (text and music) (Hymns, number 183, 1985).
"Today, While the Sun Shines", (music) (Hymns, number 229, 1985).
"Let Us All Press On", (text and music) (Hymns, number 243, 1985).
"True To The Faith", (text and music) (Hymns, number 254, 1985).
"See the Mighty Angel Flying", (music) (Hymns, number 330, 1985).
"O Home Beloved", (text) (Hymns, number 337, 1985).

During his tenure, Evan Stephens increased the size of the choir from about 125 to more than 300.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Evan Stephens, with soloists Robert C. Easton, Nellie Druce-Pugsley, and others, won second place in the competition for the Eisteddfod International Prize at the 1893 Columbian World's Fair in Chicago.
On February 11, 1895, the First Presidency of the Church declares the Tabernacle Choir members to be "acting as missionaries", and to consider their choir duties as their primary public duty.
John J. McClellan, Organist (1900-1925)
He wrote the music to the following hymn:
"Sweet Is The Work", (music) (Hymns, number 147, 317, 1985), which is often sung at temple dedications.

In 1901, the ageing tabernacle organ was rebuilt by the Kimball Company.
Edward P. Kimball, Organist (1905-1937)
He wrote the following hymns:
"The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close", (music) (Hymns, number 37, 1985).
"Great God, to Thee My Evening Song", (music) (Hymns, number 164, 1985).
"God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son", (text) (Hymns, number 187, 1985).

David A. Smith appointed the first Choir President (1908-1938). Duties included managing the administrative, financial, and logistic details of the Choir's increasing concert and tour schedule.
Tracy Y. Cannon, Organist (1909-1930)
He wrote the following hymns:
"Come, Rejoice", (text and music, adapted) (Hymns, number 9, 1985).
"God of Power, God of Right", (music) (Hymns, number 20, 1985).
"Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice", (text and music) (Hymns, number 73, 1985).
"The Lord Be With Us", (music) (Hymns, number 161, 1985).
"Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn", (music) (Hymns, number 167, 1985).
"Jesus, Mighty King In Zion", (music) (Hymns, number 234, 1985).
"How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord", (music) (Hymns, number 288, 1985).

The first recordings of the Choir was made on 1 September 1910 for the Columbia Phonograph Company. Thirteen selections were "acoustically" recorded, including four organ pieces, two Choir members with vocal soloists, and seven by the Choir. Four additional organ recordings were made the following day.
In 1911 the Choir performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and for President William Howard Taft in the White House.
In 1915, year-round daily organ recitals were inaugurated.
In 1915-16, the Austin Company of Hartford, Connecticut rebuilt the tabernacle organ, preserving the original casework, and adding two side wings, each fifteen feet wide, which harmonized with the original design. By this time only about eight ranks of pipes from the original set were still in use. It then had 112 sets of pipes which are divided into seven sections or divisions and between seven and eight thousand pipes.

Anthony Lund, Director (1916-1935), with B. Cecil Gates and Albert J. Southwick, assistants.
B. Cecil Gates wrote the following:
"How Long, O Lord Most Holy And True", (music) (Hymns, number 126, 1985).

The October 1920 Children's Friend featured a story by Evan Stephens called "The World's Fair Gold Medal" about the Tabernacle Choir going to the World's Fair in Chicago. (volume XIX No 10)

Alexander Schreiner, Organist (1924-1977).
He wrote the following hymns:
"Truth Eternal", (music) (Hymns, number 4, 1985).
"Lead Me into Life Eternal", (music) (Hymns, number 45, 1985).
"Thy Spirit Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls", (music) (Hymns, number 157, 1985).
"While of These Emblems We Partake", (music) (Hymns, number 174, 1985).
"God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son", (music) (Hymns, number 187, 1985).
"In Memory of the Crucified", (music) (Hymns, number 190, 1985).
"Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom", (music) (Hymns, number 236, 1985).
"Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord", (music) (Hymns, number 238, 1985).
"Holy Temples on Mount Zion", (music) (Hymns, number 289, 1985).

Frank Asper, Organist (1924-1963)
He wrote the following hymns:
"God Is in His Holy Temple", (music) (Hymns, number 132, 1985).
"'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love", (music) (Hymns, number 176, 1985).
"O Thou, Before the World Began", (music) (Hymns, number 189, 1985).
"Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord", (text and music) (Hymns, number 222, 1985).
"This House We Dedicate To Thee", (music) (Hymns, number 245, 1985).
"Rejoice! A Glorious Sound Is Heard", (music) (Hymns, number 257, 1985).
"Rise Up, O Men of God", (music) (Hymns, number 323, 1985).

In 1927 Anthony Lund directed the first "electrical" recordings of the choir for the Victor Company.
He conducted the first nationwide radio broadcast on KLS-radio (then an NBC affiliate) of "Music and the Spoken Word" on Monday, 15 July 1929, from 3:00-3:30 pm, MST, with Ted Kimball, announcer.
Richard L. Evans, "Spoken Word" commentator (1930-1971).
On September 15, 1932, KSL became a CBS affiliate, and the Choir's weekly broadcast "Music and the Spoken Word" moved to Sunday morning. It still continues as the longest uninterrupted network broadcast in American radio history.
In April, 1933, the Columbia Broadcasting System requested that the Choir's broadcasts be lengthened to one hour. This was done in 1933-1934, but by 1936 was modified to a 30 minute "program of choral and organ music", and a 30 minute program of "Church Of The Air", usually featuring two General Authority talks, with a couple of hymns.
By 1940, the familiar 30 minute "program of choral and organ music and brief spoken comment" that we now know had taken form.

Wade Naisbitt Stephens, Organist (1933-1944)
J. Spencer Cornwall, Director (1935-1957), with Albert J. Southwick, D. Sterling Wheelwright, John R. Halliday, and Richard P. Condie, assistants.
J. Spencer Cornwall wrote the following hymn:
"Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning", (music) (Hymns, number 56, 1985).

Lester F. Hewlett appointed Choir President (1938-1962).
The Choir participated with Dr. Harvey Fletcher of Bell Telephone Laboratories in the first public demonstration of stereophonic sound at Carnegie Hall in New York (April, 1940).
In 1943, the George Foster Peabody Award for outstanding entertainment in music was awarded to the Tabernacle Choir, for the Sunday program, "Music and the Spoken Word," originating in station KSL of Salt Lake City. This award was established in 1939 and first awarded in 1940.

Nationwide radio memorial services for Franklin D. Roosevelt (12 April 1945)
The Choir made it's first seasonal recording for broadcast to U.S. servicemen in Europe and the Pacific on Christmas Day, 1945.
Roy Darley, Organist (1947-1984)
In 1948, under the supervision of organist Alexander Schreiner, Aeolian-Skinner rebuilt the tabernacle organ. The organ then had 11,000 pipes and 188 stops.
The Choir released its first long-playing recording in 1949.
Featured in the first "Cinerama" movie (1952)
This is a copy of the April 1956 edition of "Keeping Tab". This newsletter kept members up to date on the things that were happening with the choir.

Richard P. Condie, Director (1957-1974), with Jay E. Welch, assistant.
Sixteen-inch diameter "Radio Transcription Disks" were used to distribute performances of "Music and the Spoken Word" to the armed forces. This example (SERIES RED-586, SALT LAKE TABERNACLE CHOIR # 23/NEW YORK PHILHARMIC PT. 3 PROGRAM # 223) is from 1958.

The recording of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" earned the choir a Grammy award in November, 1959 in the vocal group/chorus category.
In 1961, KSL-TV received the Peabody Award for the program "Let Freedom Ring". This was an inspirational one-hour special program marshalling through music and the spoken word the moral heritage that has made America great. This patriotic expression ranged from the spirit of Patrick Henry and Abraham Lincoln to the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It featured the Salt Lake City Mormon Tabernacle Choir; starred Richard Boone, Laraine Day, Howard Keel, and Don O'Herligy; was narrated by Richard L. Evans; produced by Michel M. Grilikhes; and written by Michel M. Grilikhes and Richard L. Evans.
Condie conducted the first television broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" on 14 October 1962, reaching an audience of over eight hundred radio and television stations worldwide.
Isaac M. Stewart appointed Choir President (1962-1975).
The choir performs at the inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson (1965).
Robert Cundick, Organist (1965-1991)
He wrote the following hymns:
"That Easter Morn", (music) (Hymns, number 198, 1985).
"Thy Holy Word", (music) (Hymns, number 279, 1985).

In 1967, the Choir is featured on the long runnign NBC-TV series:
"The Bell Telephone Hour-Messiah", AT&T/Henry Jaffe Enterprises, 58m., color. Directed by Sid Smith; musical director/conductor: Donald Voorhees; featuring: Phillis Curtin, Maureen Forrester, Richard Lewis, and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
This extremely rare episode from the long running NBC TV series presents selections from George Frederick Handel's oratorio masterpiece "Messiah", which illustrates the foundations of Christianity---the coming of Christ, His birth, life, death, and resurrection.
September 30-October 1 General Conference is the Choir's first color television broadcast.
The choir performs at the inauguration of President Richard M. Nixon (1969).
J. Spencer Kinard, "Spoken Word" commentator (1971-1990)
Jay Welch, Director (1974), with Jerold D. Ottley, assistant.
Jerold Ottley, Director (1974-1999), with Donald H. Ripplinger, associate conductor (1974-1995).
Dr. Ottley's optimum choir has 320 voices--168 women and 152 men:

84 sopranos (divided into two sections of 42)
84 altos (divided into two sections of 42)
76 tenors (divided into two sections of 38)
76 basses (divided into two sections of 38)

Oakley S. Evans appointed Choir President (1975).
John Longhurst, Organist (1977-
Dr. John Longhurst received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Utah. He earned a doctorate in musical arts degree from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, New York. In 1969 Longhurst joined the music faculty at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he taught organ and music theory courses. He is a fellow in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and has served as chairman of the AGO of Utah.
He wrote the following hymns:
"We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord", (music) (Hymns, number 57, 1985).
"I Believe In Christ", (music) (Hymns, number 134, 1985).

In 1977, the Choir appeared on the Donnie & Marie Christmas show.

Bonnie Goodliffe, Associate Tabernacle Organist, 1979-present.

In 1980, Music and the Spoken Word, Fourth of July Broadcast, was awarded a Freedom Foundation Award,
The special "Mr. Krueger's Christmas", featuring the Choir, is aired during the week of Dec. 13-19th, 1980. (TV Guide, Vol. 28 No. 50.)
The choir performs at the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan (1981). He names it "America's Choir".
Clay Christiansen, Organist (1982-
Dr. Clay Christiansen served for 10 years as organist and choirmaster at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral where he became well known for his New Year's Eve Bach recitals. He also served as organist for five years at Utah's only Jewish synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami. In 1988 Christensen completed a doctorate in composition at the University of Utah. Christiansen's concert performances have taken him across the United States and Canada where he has been a featured artist for groups such as the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants. He has composed several published organ and vocal works. His writings also include works for chorus, string quartet, woodwind trio, chamber and symphony orchestra.
He wrote the following hymn:
"In Fasting We Approach Thee", (music) (Hymns, number 139, 1985).

Wendell M. Smoot appointed Choir President (1983-2000).
Linda Margetts, Associate Tabernacle Organist, 1984-present.

Between 1985 and 1989, Schoenstein and Co. of San Francisco directed a major renovation of the organ, regulating all pipework, rebuilding the console, and installing seventeen ranks of new pipes. It's present size is 11,623 pipes organized into 147 voices (tone colors) and 206 ranks (rows of pipes). Grouped into 8 divisions, they are controlled from a console with five 61-note manuals (keyboards) and a 32-note pedalboard. All divisions of the organ are located behind the massive casework on the west end of the Tabernacle except the antiphonal division, which is in the lower attic at the east end and speaks through openings behind the center balcony seats. The longest pipe is 32 feet in speaking length; the shortest is three-quarters of an inch. Pipes are made of wood, zinc, and various alloys of tin and lead.
In 1987, the Choir won an EMMY AWARD for "Christmas Sampler," with Shirley Verrett.
The Choir and the Philly Pops backs up Barry Manilow on "Let Freedom Ring", penned for the "We The People" Constitutional Gala, held at the Convention Hall in the Philadelphia Civic Denter, which was televised in September, 1987.

In 1988, the Choir was honored with a Freedom Foundation citation for it's contributions in promoting patriotic pride in America.
The choir performs at the inauguration of President George Bush (1989). He calls the Choir "a national treasure".
In 1989 the Choir recieved the Rocky Mountain Region of National Academy of Television Art and Sciences, Governor's Award, for 30 years of service
The Choir has earned five gold, and two platinum RIAA records, an impressive achievement. Pictured are Choir president Wendell M. Smoot (back) and director Jerold Ottley holding some of these awards.
GOLD RECORDS:
1963 Handel's Messiah, with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra
1963 The Lord's Prayer, with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra
1980 The Joy of Christmas, with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
1985 The Tabernacle Choir Sings Christmas Carols, Richard Condie, Conductor
1985 Joy to the World, with Richard Condie and the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble and Percussion

PLATINUM RECORDS:
1991 Carols of Christmas, Hallmark
1992 Celebrate Christmas, Hallmark

Lloyd Newell, "Spoken Word" commentator (1990-
Dr. Lloyd D. Newell received a master's degree in Communications and a doctorate in marriage, family, and human development from Brigham Young University (BYU). Newell has worked as a television news anchor, a professional speaker and a university professor at BYU, and he has authored several books. As a keynote speaker and corporate trainer he has spoken to organizations in 45 states and more than a dozen countries. "Music and the Spoken Word" combines the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with brief, inspirational messages by Newell. Broadcast weekly to millions of listeners from the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the program has also originated from such places as Israel, Russia, Australia, Brazil, London, Geneva and Barcelona. "Music and the Spoken Word" first aired in 1929 and is now the longest continuous network broadcast in the world.

Richard Elliott, Organist (1991-
Dr. Richard Elliot received his early musical training at the Peabody Conservatory. He attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., as an organ major and after two years of study was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. At Curtis he received a bachelor's degree in music in 1980. While there, he supported himself by working at the John Wanamaker department store, playing weekly recitals on one of the world's largest pipe organs. He studied organ at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he completed a master's in music and a doctorate in musical arts. He is a fellow of the American Guild of Organists. In 1988 Elliott joined the music faculty of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he taught private organ and developed and supervised an innovative program of group organ instruction.

In 1991 the Choir performs in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
In December 1992-January 1993 the Choir performs in Israel.
In 1998, the Choir toured parts of Europe.

Craig Jessop, associate director (1995-1999)
The Tabernacle Choir has hosted a series of Christmas concerts in recent years. Many of these concerts have resulted in albums and television specials. The 1997 concert was released as a PBS special and as a recording.

Mack Wilberg, associate director (1999-2008) Dr. Mack Wilberg was appointed director of the Temple Square Chorale and associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in May 1999.

Barlow Bradford, associate director (1999-2003) Dr. Barlow Bradford was appointed director of the Orchestra at Temple Square and associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in May 1999. He received his master's degree in orchestral conducting and his doctorate in musical arts from the University of Southern California, where he was voted by the faculty as Most Outstanding Student in conducting and keyboard collaborative arts. Before his appointment to the choir, Bradford was the founder and artistic director of Utah Chamber Artists and director of orchestras at the University of Utah. As a conductor he has performed and recorded with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Utah Symphony and Utah Chamber Artists. As a composer and arranger he has had his works performed and recorded by the Utah Symphony and Utah Chamber Artists. As a pianist he has performed throughout the United States and England.

Craig Jessop, Director (1999-2008)
Prior to his appointment with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jessop served as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF) music programs. His assignments included serving as director of the USAF Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C., 1980-1987; commander and conductor of the Band of the USAF in Ramstein, Germany, 1987-1991; and commander and conductor of the Air Combat Command Heartland of America Band in Omaha, Nebraska, 1991-1995. Jessop also served as music director of the Maryland Choral Society, the Rhineland-Pfalz International Choir of Germany and the Omaha Symphonic Chorus. In addition to his work as a conductor, he has been an active baritone vocalist and has performed in the choirs of Helmuth Rilling and John Rutter. Jessop is a winner of the Utah State Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera Auditions and has participated in the Merola Opera Training Program of the San Francisco Opera.

Since April 2000, the Choir has sung for the twice annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the new "Conference Center" on the block North of Temple Square. On most Sundays, the weekly Choir broadcast will continue from the Tabernacle on Temple Square.

F. MacRay Christensen appointed Choir President (November 12, 2000)
The choir performs at the inauguration of President George W. Bush (2001).

Walter Cronkite directed the Hallelujah Chorus during the 2002 Christmas Concert.

In 2003, Igor Gruppman was named Conductor of the Orchestra at Temple Square.

On November 12th, 2003, the United States' highest honor for artistic excellence was awarded to the Choir, in a special ceremony held in The White House. Established in 1984, the medal is awarded annually by the President to individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the creation, support, and growth of the arts in the United States.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's long-time radio program Music and the Spoken Word will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame during its NAB2004 annual convention in Las Vegas on April 20, 2004.
As part of the induction ceremony, the Choir will perform during the Radio Luncheon.
Andrew E. Unsworth, Organist (2007-
Unsworth graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Organ Performance and Pedagogy. He went on to get his master's and doctoral degrees from Duke University He was the organist and assistant director of music at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City from 2001-2006. He has been a guest organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on many occasions since 1993. He has been a featured soloist at several national organ conventions and has performed across the United States and in Europe.

Mack Wilberg, Director (2008-present) Dr. Mack Wilberg was appointed director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in May 2008, after Craig Jessop resigned in March. Wilberg is the former director of choral activities at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he conducted the Concert Choir and the 240-voice Men's Chorus. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, he taught graduate and undergraduate music courses at BYU. Wilberg is an active concert pianist, chamber musician, clinician, composer, arranger and guest conductor throughout the United States and abroad. His compositions and arrangements are consistently performed and recorded throughout the world and published by Oxford University Press and Hinshaw Music. Wilberg received his master's and doctorate of musical arts degrees from the University of Southern California and completed his undergraduate studies at BYU.
Ed Thompson, former head of the Music Department at the University of Utah and former conductor of the Utah Symphony Chorus, served as his interim assistant until March, 2009.

Ryan T. Murphy, associate director (March, 2009-present) Murphy has extensive choral conducting and professional musical theater experience. He currently conducts six choirs in the Boston area, including two choirs at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. He serves as the choral director at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, an internationally recognized secondary school affiliated with the New England Conservatory. He has served as the music director for the Tuacahn theatre in the St. George, Utah, area and prior to that as the music director for five seasons at the Sundance Institute in Provo, Utah. He has maintained an active performing schedule, including recent collaborations at the Tanglewood Summer Festival outside of Boston. Ryan is presently working on his doctorate in choral conducting at Boston University and will finish his degree in May.

Derrick PorterMarch, 2024
Derrick Porter is named the new executive producer, principal writer, and presenter of the Spoken Word, replacing Lloyd Newell, who has served for the past 34 years.

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