September 17, 1787 was the date the United States Constitution was ratified and officially became the Law of the Land. On September 17, 1987, my aunt Janie Thompson was given the responsibility of presenting a television special celebrating the 200th anniversary of this event, The Constitution Ball sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
She wrote a script, gathered a cast of musicians, singers, and actors, worked with them for several months, then finally presented this performance LIVE. That would almost be unthinkable nowadays, but it was the way things were done back then. There was no chance to go back and redo something or fix any mistakes. Everyone had to be well rehearsed so the show could be presented without a hitch. After the show, dance music was played for the Ball.
Janie wrote special arrangements of songs to intersperse between scenes showing how the Constitution came about. Then, she ended her portion of the evening with a grouping of Patriotic songs called the "U.S.Constitution Medley." It was sung by soloists, a large chorus, and children. Of course, in true Janie fashion, she called upon her family and neighbors and former Program Bureau talent to be in this show. (Some of my uncles and brothers played Founding Fathers, and most my extended family sang in the Chorus. I wasn't there because I had a little production of my own going on. I had a brand new baby.)
Janie Thompson is also being honored at BYU's Homecoming Events this year Oct. 5-8. She left quite a legacy at BYU for her founding of the Young Ambassadors and Lamanite Generation and other touring groups. I am happy to offer a few of her pieces on this website. Janie Thompson Songs
She wrote a script, gathered a cast of musicians, singers, and actors, worked with them for several months, then finally presented this performance LIVE. That would almost be unthinkable nowadays, but it was the way things were done back then. There was no chance to go back and redo something or fix any mistakes. Everyone had to be well rehearsed so the show could be presented without a hitch. After the show, dance music was played for the Ball.
Janie wrote special arrangements of songs to intersperse between scenes showing how the Constitution came about. Then, she ended her portion of the evening with a grouping of Patriotic songs called the "U.S.Constitution Medley." It was sung by soloists, a large chorus, and children. Of course, in true Janie fashion, she called upon her family and neighbors and former Program Bureau talent to be in this show. (Some of my uncles and brothers played Founding Fathers, and most my extended family sang in the Chorus. I wasn't there because I had a little production of my own going on. I had a brand new baby.)
Janie Thompson is also being honored at BYU's Homecoming Events this year Oct. 5-8. She left quite a legacy at BYU for her founding of the Young Ambassadors and Lamanite Generation and other touring groups. I am happy to offer a few of her pieces on this website. Janie Thompson Songs
One interesting story that came out of the preparations for Constitution Ball had to do with the costumes. Janie's script called for a scene with the Founding Fathers. She wanted period costumes made for those actors. The costumes were beautiful. An LDS artist Harold I. Hopkinson had been asked to create a painting illustrating when the Founding Fathers appeared to Wilford Woodruff in the St. George Temple. He asked to borrow those costumes as references while painting. See this article for more information: Painting Honors the Founding Fathers
Also on Sept. 17, 1987, the prophet Ezra Taft Benson gave a landmark talk about the Constitution wherein he stated that it should be celebrated, upheld and protected.
The Constitution a Glorious Standard by Ezra Taft Benson.
The Constitution a Glorious Standard by Ezra Taft Benson.
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