December 2004

By Becky Ginos

Teetering on top of a ladder, Ted Kimball stretched to speak into the microphone dangling from the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. As Kimball worked to maintain his balance, he offered an inspirational message with the strength and beauty of the Tabernacle Choir's music echoing behind him. This first broadcast took place more than 75 years ago -- and "Music and the Spoken Word" has now become the longest continuous network broadcast in the world.

From those humble beginnings, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, made up of 360 volunteers from all walks of life, has performed at presidential inaugurations, the Olympics and for dignitaries all over the world. The choir has garnered a Grammy, an Emmy, five gold records and two platinum records. In 2003, Pres. George W. Bush awarded the National Medal of Arts to the choir at the White House.

"We congratulate the choir on this significant national honor," Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in response to the award. "The secret of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is that its 360 members sing from their hearts. They are wonderful. They are all volunteers who have achieved excellence through their hard work, their faith and their deep devotion. We are grateful for this well-deserved recognition of their tremendous efforts."

Under the direction of Craig D. Jessop, the choir is reaching new heights. "President Hinckley wanted the choir to come to a new level," says choir member Marilyn Nielson. "Craig has made it happen. He is phenomenal, an incredible musician. He looks for opportunities for us to perform. Wherever we travel he has arranged receptions for local dignitaries prior to the concert. This gives us the opportunity to explain more about our organization's scope."

Jessop became music director for the choir in 1999 after serving as its associate director since 1995. Before coming to the choir position, Jessop was a Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Air Force (USAF) music programs. He directed the USAF Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C., the Air Combat Command Heartland of America Band in Omaha, Neb. and the Rhineland-Pfalz International Choir of Germany.

"I loved every minute of it," says Jessop. "Nothing could have prepared me more than the Air Force. Everything we face here, I have already dealt with. I've been blessed."

After being invited to be a guest conductor under the former director, Gerald Ottley, Jessop was offered the position of associate director. He decided to retire from the Air Force and take the position with the choir. When Ottley retired, Jessop stepped into his position.

But running a world-renowned choir is not an easy task. "If you asked my wife she would tell you it is more than a full-time job," laughs Jessop. "It takes 60 - 70 hours a week. For every one minute of our Sunday morning program, probably 10 hours of work are behind it."

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Jessop is always auditioning and looking for new talent. "People who are interested in becoming a member of the choir must be over 25 years old, but not older than 65," explains Jessop. "They have to live within 100 miles of Salt Lake City, too. From the time they apply to the time they start singing with the choir, it could be up to nine months. Less than 10 percent of the applicants make it. It is very competitive. Members can sing for 20 years or until they turn 60, whichever comes first."

Some choir members make it a family affair. Susie Hillier Clayton has more than 20 ancestors who sang in the choir, beginning with her great-great-grandmother. Clayton's daughter, Sarah, also sings in the choir.

Another couple is Jim and Marilyn Nielson. Jim had always dreamed of being in the choir and was chosen about 13 years ago. His wife Marilyn was also very talented, but she was busy raising their children and didn't want both parents out of the home. After Jim sang for 10 years, he started suggesting that it was time for Marilyn to have a turn.

"I finally decided to call his bluff and tried out," says Marilyn. "He told me if I made it he would resign and stay home with the children. When I received my acceptance letter, he went into the director and resigned."

That was three years ago, and when Marilyn started the fall of 2001 she was swept into a whirlwind of activities. "We had conference and the Christmas program, then the Olympics," Marilyn says. "I went with the choir to Nauvoo for the temple dedication and it was thrilling."

Marilyn volunteers 8 - 10 hours with the choir during a normal week, but 18 - 20 when they are doing extra things like recording or preparing for the upcoming Christmas program. "People think it would be delightful to sing with the choir -- and it is. But I don't think they realize what a big time commitment it can be."

The choir is known for its Christmas program every year. "It is a highlight for me to participate in the Christmas show," says Marilyn. "Craig is so capable of pulling together a fabulous program. The personalities of the guest artists come into play and Craig is able to mix that together very well."

Every year people scramble to get a ticket and many stand in line the night of the performance hoping for standby seating. Guest artists and narrators such as Walter Cronkite and Angela Lansbury have graced the stage with the choir. This year's guest artist is Broadway star and actress Audra McDonald. Acting as narrator is film and TV star Peter Graves.

"I've admired the choir for years," says Graves. "I've worked with Craig before and admire him so much. I'm indeed looking forward to joining the choir. I can hardly wait to get there."

How does a choir that started in the dusty desert of Utah transcend cultural and religious barriers to become so beloved? "Music speaks to people's souls," Marilyn says.

A Florida man explained his feelings in a letter to the choir. "Today your choir conducted a special performance for members of Kiwanis International. My wife and I were a part of the audience who sat spellbound by the beautiful message in song delivered by your choir members. I have never in my life felt so rich after having attended a choir performance. Your President Hinckley said he thought the choir 'sings like angels.' Well, I support that belief because I have never felt so in the presence of angels as I did sitting inside your beautiful structure listening to the choir's spectacular performance. Throughout the performance we shed tears of joy listening to your wonderful music."

Over the past 75 years listeners could count on the calm reassurance of the Tabernacle Choir's music and the spoken word. The choir has sung through times of war and peace.

"To a world at times unsure of God, it has spoken without equivocation and with certainty, singing His praises with majestic and moving power," said President Hinckley. "In a culture of shifting values and changing tastes, it has won and held the love and the loyalty of a vast audience spanning the generations and reaching across the continent and to foreign lands."

Having been a member of the choir for 15 years, June Allred considers it an important part of her life. "It is amazing that more than 400 musicians (including the orchestra) can work so closely and still be each other's best friends," says Allred. "I attribute it to two things. First, we are highly motivated by the same purpose having been called as musical missionaries. To bring peace and joy to our listeners we must have that peace in our organization. Unbelievably skilled musicians join the choir coming from center stage into a group of 360 where no one is a star. Second, we love our leaders. We know they are giving 100 percent; how can we do any less?"

At the 75th anniversary celebration, Jessop summed up his feelings this way. "The combination of the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square is an unstoppable force for good. This is just the beginning. As our ancestors came to this place, one group would come and prepare the soil and move on. Another would come and plant the seeds and move on. Another would come and water and weed the seed and move on. Another would harvest it and another would get to eat it. Every person contributed a part along the path. Those that planted may never have reaped or seen it fully come to pass but laid the groundwork for others. What we are reaping today is the result of the sacrifice of the Tabernacle Choir's predecessors."