Choir Tour Day 4: Unveiling the Philadelphia Temple Model
The choir and orchestra performed for a sold-out crowd in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday.
Article Highlights
- The choir performed to a sold-out crowd in Philadelphia Thursday.
- Elder Jay E. Jensen unveiled a rendering of the Philadelphia Temple prior to the concert.
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On the fourth day of their East Coast tour, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performed for a sold-out crowd at Philadelphia’s Mann Center, where the choir last performed in 2003.
It was local resident Bill Butler’s first time hearing the choir in person.
“I feel so privileged to have heard and seen [the concert],” he said. I loved everything, especially ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic.’”
Resident Pat Peterson remembered many of the songs from when she was a little girl.
“I loved the selections,” she said. “They were just beautifully done.”
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter guest conducted the choir during the evening concert.
Prior to the concert Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy unveiled for the first time a rendering of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple. The temple was first announced in October 2008.
Baritone Eric Huntsman, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, was present at the unveiling and said it was very well received.
“Anyone driving through Philadelphia on the Benjamin Franklin Expressway is going to see this temple,” he said. “Both the civic and religious officials seem to be supporting us.”
Representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia were also present and expressed their support for the building of a temple in that area, very near the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
See photos from the fourth day and listen to a choir member describe his experiences.
Tomorrow the choir and orchestra will travel to Buffalo, New York, to prepare for their concert in Chautauqua Amphitheater, a venue located in a lakeside setting that comes to life with performing arts, lectures, recreational activities, and other programs each summer. This summer more than 170,000 visitors are expected to visit to participate in the variety of events.
