The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra perform at USU for the first time in over a decade
Utah State University campus was a buzz of activity Saturday afternoon and evening as Logan residents and USU students alike listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform at the Daines Concert Hall.
The choir and orchestra opened with several songs of praise and spiritual hymns and ended with classic favorites that are recognizable to almost any audience.
Caine College of the Arts Dean Craig Jessop invited the choir to come to USU as part of the Year of the Arts Celebration, and to be one of the first groups to perform in the new Daines Concert Hall.
The last time the choir and orchestra were at Utah State was in 2007 when they performed for the memorial service of the College of Agriculture students who were killed in a car accident. The choir was also a part of the opening of the Chase Fine Arts Center in 1967-68.
Iain Laurence / The Utah Statesman Mack Wilberg directs the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Utah State University. (Iain Laurence / The Utah Statesman)
Jessop was delighted to have the choir and orchestra return to USU to perform once more.
Shailey Woodward, a junior in the family studies program, has listened to the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for a majority of her life as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This concert was her first time seeing the choir and orchestra live.
“I think what sparked my initial interest in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was when I heard their version of ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,’” Woodward said. “It’s just a really powerful arrangement and made me want to come see it.”
Jessop shares a special connection to the choir, singing as a baritone and soloist from 1973-1977. As director for the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants and various Air Force bands, Jessop guest conducted the Tabernacle Choir several times in concert and in the Sunday morning broadcasts.
“In 1995, I was appointed the associate music director of the choir and in 1999 I was appointed 14th music director of the choir,” Jessop said.
Jessop currently serves as the head of the Department of Music and is the first dean of the Caine College of the Arts and has been on campus since 2008.
Dallin Wiberg, a mechanical engineering junior, enjoyed the concert for the strong nostalgic feelings it brought to him and his wife.
“A lot of their music taps into our memories and childhood songs we love and grew up with, and it brings back memories and feelings,” Wiberg said.
Wiberg is currently in an introduction to music course, focusing on the basics of Handel and the fundamentals of music.
“It was neat to see and pay attention to the things I am learning in my class, as well as listening to the classic church hymns and songs that we know and love being done live by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” Wiberg said.
Iain Laurence / The Utah Statesman Mack Wilberg, choir director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, bows alongside the orchestra. (Iain Laurence / The Utah Statesman)
Announcer for the choir, Lloyd Newell ended the concert with tidbits of the choir’s past experiences in Logan, as well as on USU’s campus.
Two encore numbers were performed at the end, with a surprise twist: Dean Jessop as guest conductor.
Jessop led the choir and orchestra into “Climb Every Mountain” from the musical “Sound of Music” as well as another familiar crowd favorite, “The Scotsman.”
Wiberg described the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square as music that is made for everyone.
“Their repertoire is fun, American, spiritual, mix of classic and modern, fun, there’s always one song you can relate to, even if your taste of music isn’t in every genre, there’s usually one song that you can listen to and have fun with.”
—kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu
@kortniwells