Since its founding in 1999, the Temple Square Orchestra has been a beacon of musical brilliance, resonating through the historic walls of the Tabernacle and touching the hearts of people around the world. This year marks the orchestra’s 25th anniversary, and we will celebrate this milestone with commemorative performances on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, 2024, highlighting the group’s enduring legacy.
“We would like to express our deep love, admiration and gratitude to these guys for everything they have accomplished over the past 25 years,” Tabernacle Choir Music Director Mack Wilberg said during the concert. said.
Harpist Julie Keys was one of 32 orchestra members who had been in the venue since the first concert (October 29, 1999) and cherished every moment.
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Temple Square is always beautiful in the spring. The gardeners are preparing for general conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 / 2 Download the photo
“I think the most memorable experience is the one with the audience. People show us how much they love and appreciate what we do for them,” Keyes said.
Orchestra member Bill Holman agrees. He pointed to a recent stop on the choir and orchestra’s “Songs of Hope” world tour.
“My favorite experience is traveling the world and performing in the world’s best concert halls,” said Holman, who first learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the “Music and the Spoken Word” broadcast. “It’s very special to see people’s reactions to our music in places like Mexico City and the Philippines. They’ve been waiting a long time to hear us play live, so we’re very honored and touched. Ta.”
Director Wilberg said its influence on the choir has been powerful. The orchestra has added an important new dimension of sound and repertoire to the choir’s broadcasts, concerts and performances.
“When the orchestra was founded in 1999, it was difficult at that point to imagine how the orchestra would reinvent the choir in a sense,” he said. “And since then, the choir has been able to do things that even 25 years ago could not have dreamed of.”
Like the Tabernacle Choir, the orchestra’s 200 members are all volunteers. Each is a music missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ.
“I remember when I was thinking about auditioning,” Keys said. “My father was really excited about this. (He said) ‘You have to play with this orchestra.’ And I said, ‘But why do I want to do it? “I’m not going to get paid.” ‘I think that was one of the most rewarding experiences of playing with an orchestra. ”
“They are here because they love music, they love God, and they love serving,” added Associate Music Director Ryan Murphy. “It’s a really great, fun atmosphere to be a part of, and they’re just top-notch musicians and top-notch people.”
