Music & the Spoken Word celebrates 5,000th broadcast

SALT LAKE CITY – Music & the Spoken Word hit a historic 5,000 episodes Sunday morning. And it's the longest-running continuous program in the country. "Come, come ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear..." The familiar words and music of a favorite Latter-day Saint hymn have echoed often in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, sung by the now-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The idea of a choir began with Latter-day Saint pioneers. They sang at a Church Conference 29 days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. Now the Tabernacle Choir has become one of the oldest and largest choral groups in the world, reaching millions worldwide with international concerts, but most often with its weekly broadcast.It is now the longest continuing network broadcast, with the first one taking place on July 15th, 1929. KSL TV's Ted Kimball carried the station's only microphone to the Tabernacle to record that first program, carried by 30 stations. Today, Music & the Spoken Word is broadcast on 2,000 radio and television stations. Andrew Barnett has been a baritone in the Tabernacle Choir for 8 years now. “I’ve wanted to become a member of the choir since I was about 15 years old," Barnett said. "I remember watching a session of General Conference with my grandparents, and my Grandma said, ‘ That could be you one day.’ And it just stuck." "And I never actually thought that I would be here, but you don’t know unless you try," Barnett added. "Music, in my opinion, speaks to people in a way that nothing else can, so it’s an honor to be part of that.” Crystalynn Mellor is a Second Alto in The Tabernacle Choir, and she is a new member. “ I grew up in a very musical family," Mellor said.  "My uncle was actually a choir member years ago, when they were raising their children ... so I would get to see him be in the choir, and I always thought it was really neat.” Mellor is grateful to be able to reach many people through the choir’s broadcasts. "You hear about so many people who have different religious backgrounds, no religious background, but they feel something, they feel a tie to heaven that is so personal.” In 1998, I went behind the scenes and watched the attention to detail. Jerold Ottley was the music director for 25 years. Following one pre-broadcast rehearsal, he said, “ Well, everything that could go wrong, went wrong, technically, I think during that run, so we ought to be in good shape by the time we do the show!” Mack Wilberg has led the choir for 17 years now. "We are now going all over the world, and I think about my predecessors and the shoulders of the many that we stand upon right now," Wilberg said. "I think that they would be dumbfounded at the reach of  Music & the Spoken Word in our present day.” The rehearsal room and recording studio are beneath the Tabernacle. On Sunday mornings, choir members begin arriving on Temple Square at 7 a.m. They pick up their music and head up the back stairs to the choir seats. As they hit the top of the stairs, they come around the corner and each has an assigned seat. It’s a rehearsal before the broadcast. The musicians of the Orchestra at Temple Square arrive at 8, and by 8:30, they begin a run through of that day's program. Everyone takes a break at 9:15. Then it's 9:30, and the broadcast begins. Sometimes the program is recorded wherever the choir is traveling. We were there in Barcelona when a Spanish television 8-man crew took on the unusual assignment. Fortunately, producer Ed Payne spoke Spanish.On that European tour in 1998, the choir also recorded the broadcast in London, England and Geneva, Switzerland. And closer to home, a Music & the Spoken Word was performed and recorded in a concert hall near Cleveland, Ohio. The Spoken Word part of the broadcast is a 3-minute inspirational message, originated by Apostle Elder Richard L. Evans. He delivered those weekly messages for 42 years. Then, for 18 years, it was Spence Kinard. Lloyd Newell followed as host for 34 years. Derrick Porter has been the host for a year. “The feeling is one of stillness and comfort and even confidence," Porter said. "Not because of me, but because of the people I get to be surrounded by ... It has been so complimentary and warm and welcoming." Porter is the principal writer for his part of the program. "Taking that message each week and working to turn it into a gem that can be received and felt by people the world over, Porter said. "Our job, our calling, our mission, if you will, is simply to deliver to the world feelings of peace and hope and confidence through music and a simple message.” Mack Wilberg said, "As we look to the future, we only want to be better and better. It only energizes us more to be the best we can possibly be and to reach as many people as possible.” "We plan and intend to be here for another 5-thousand weeks,” Porter added. The choir in its beloved home, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, hopes to inspire generations to come. As the Tabernacle Choir marks this milestone, it's important to note that KSL Radio and Television and our parent company, Bonneville International, have been proud partners of Music & the Spoken Word since the beginning.

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