Tomorrow July 13th, 2025 will be the 5,000th broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. Former members of the Tabernacle Choir have been invited to attend and be part of the celebrations. This historic milestone represents 96 years of weekly broadcasts on either radio or television and now internet.
People from my family have been associated with the (precursor to the) Tabernacle Choir from before there was even a Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Early converts to the Church from Wales brought their choral traditions with them. They were called upon regularly to provide music for Church meetings, especially General Conferences ever since they immigrated and crossed the plains.
My grandmother Lora Harmon (Thompson) was still a teenager when she was asked to join the Tabernacle Choir during World War I (before MSW). Three of her sons and one daughter sang in the Choir during the 1950s-60s (pre and post TV broadcasts). My sister Bonnie sang in the Choir for 22 years from 2002-2024. I sang from 2010 to 2016. (We saw Internet and YouTube become a thing). Two of my brother's children have played or currently play with the Orchestra at Temple Square, Dr. Amy Gabbitas (clarinet) and Dr. Randy Lee (trumpet). We hope that more members of the family will join the Choir and Orchestra organization in the future.
People from my family have been associated with the (precursor to the) Tabernacle Choir from before there was even a Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Early converts to the Church from Wales brought their choral traditions with them. They were called upon regularly to provide music for Church meetings, especially General Conferences ever since they immigrated and crossed the plains.
My grandmother Lora Harmon (Thompson) was still a teenager when she was asked to join the Tabernacle Choir during World War I (before MSW). Three of her sons and one daughter sang in the Choir during the 1950s-60s (pre and post TV broadcasts). My sister Bonnie sang in the Choir for 22 years from 2002-2024. I sang from 2010 to 2016. (We saw Internet and YouTube become a thing). Two of my brother's children have played or currently play with the Orchestra at Temple Square, Dr. Amy Gabbitas (clarinet) and Dr. Randy Lee (trumpet). We hope that more members of the family will join the Choir and Orchestra organization in the future.
Betsy Bailey, Amy Gabbitas, Randy Lee, Bonnie Lee together in MSW rehearsal
Music and the Spoken Word broadcasts have been fundamental in our family. Even when we lived far from the Mountain West, my mother made sure we listened when we could. Mostly, we listened to her well-worn record of the Choir singing Handel's Messiah every Sunday morning of our youth. As more stations picked up MSW, we were able to listen or watch more regularly, no matter where we lived.
Early on Easter morning 1961 when I was 5 years old, my mother smuggled me into the choir loft. She said she needed help singing the high notes that day. I took my job seriously and sang the high notes with her during the radio broadcast that week. (Security was not so strict then as it is now!) For many, many years (and because I mainly lived far away from Utah), I figured that had been my one chance to sing with the Tabernacle Choir. Then our circumstances changed in 2009 and we moved to Utah. I finally got my real opportunity to audition and become a member of the Tabernacle Choir.
Singing Music and the Spoken Word, Concerts, General Conferences, Tours, and recordings was so wonderful. I was glad that my time overlapped with my sister Bonnie's time in the Choir. We knew the mission of the choir was to sing for all people, everywhere.
Once after a broadcast some people approached us asking in broken English, "When you come to my country? We love Choir!" Yes, our audiences are grateful when they feel something. They feel our testimonies of the Savior as we sing. The music and spoken word is meant to give hope and comfort to this weary world. What a glorious mission! I was so happy to be part of it.
Bonnie and I especially loved doing the Christmas Spectacular Concerts. These pictures are from when the Special Guests were Santino Fontana and the Muppets in 2014. So fun!
Early on Easter morning 1961 when I was 5 years old, my mother smuggled me into the choir loft. She said she needed help singing the high notes that day. I took my job seriously and sang the high notes with her during the radio broadcast that week. (Security was not so strict then as it is now!) For many, many years (and because I mainly lived far away from Utah), I figured that had been my one chance to sing with the Tabernacle Choir. Then our circumstances changed in 2009 and we moved to Utah. I finally got my real opportunity to audition and become a member of the Tabernacle Choir.
Singing Music and the Spoken Word, Concerts, General Conferences, Tours, and recordings was so wonderful. I was glad that my time overlapped with my sister Bonnie's time in the Choir. We knew the mission of the choir was to sing for all people, everywhere.
Once after a broadcast some people approached us asking in broken English, "When you come to my country? We love Choir!" Yes, our audiences are grateful when they feel something. They feel our testimonies of the Savior as we sing. The music and spoken word is meant to give hope and comfort to this weary world. What a glorious mission! I was so happy to be part of it.
Bonnie and I especially loved doing the Christmas Spectacular Concerts. These pictures are from when the Special Guests were Santino Fontana and the Muppets in 2014. So fun!
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