Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Carole Mikita reporting A diamond jubilee celebration tonight and an historic concert as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir marks 75-years in broadcasting.
The group performed in front of a hometown crowd, asking old friends and colleagues to join.
As milestones go, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has achieved what no other group has: Completing 75 years "Music and the Spoken Word".
The concert marked the occasion and celebrated its growth from a that first broadcast on July 15th, 1929, to today's remarkable renown.
Charles Osgood, CBS Radio: "It is the longest, continuous radio broadcast in history..."
Tonight came recognition for the oldest, former choir member, Margarete Shahl Hicken, who is nearly 98, and is so impressed with today's singers.
Margarete Shahl Hicken, oldest former choir member "Oh, I think that's wonderful.... And you know, I think they sing beautifully... And I don't think we ever sang that well..."
All former choir members in the audience were invited to sing along to the group's signature piece "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "The weekly broadcasts have been received by grateful millions... Through the years of the terrible depression... During the long season of the second world war..."
The choir and its music, he says, leave people comforted, hopeful and a little better than they were before they heard them.
The choir will perform again tomorrow morning in the Conference Center and mark that 75th anniversary in broadcasting with its weekly "Music and the Spoken Word".
