SALT LAKE CITY — Concert halls in eight southern U.S. cities will resound with the 330 voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir next year from 15-27 June.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked choir leaders earlier this year to begin planning a southern states tour. Included are performances in Houston, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and three cities in Florida — Tampa, Orlando and Miami. The choir has performed previously in only three southern states (including once in Orlando in June 1989 when invited by Disneyworld).
“There is a mission behind the tour,” said Mac Christensen, recently appointed president of the choir. “We want to establish in the minds of people that Jesus Christ indeed is central to our faith, as he is to the faith of many of the people who live in the southern states.”
Seventeen musicians from the Orchestra at Temple Square will accompany the choir. In addition, the choir will bring its “portable” organ, which will output music through sixteen large speakers. The exact program is still being defined, but choir leaders say it will include a broad spectrum of classical favorites, Americana (from the patriotic to spirituals to Broadway), plus the choir’s classics portraying the life of Christ. Each city’s performance will contain the same numbers.
The choir tour is hosted by the cities and venues of each performance. Between performances, choir and orchestra members will host receptions for government, religious and community leaders.
During the two weeks of constant travel, the choir will use aircraft from Salt Lake City to Houston and again from Miami to Salt Lake City (occupying three charter airplanes). The remainder of the trip will employ buses – twelve of them. Add to that two semi trucks hauling 1,500 pieces of luggage, the organ and orchestral instruments.
Questions about tickets should be directed to the respective performance venues of each city (see attached performance schedule).
