Seeing the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square was one of those experiences that made me feel genuinely grateful to be there. I was fortunate enough to catch a live broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word, and everything was beautifully organized from start to finish. The performance began and ended exactly on schedule, and the whole experience flowed with such calm precision that it felt almost effortless. The music was moving, the atmosphere was peaceful, and the setting made it feel incredibly special. It's something that truly felt once in a lifetime for me, and I loved every moment of it. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

This was a cool find upon my exploration of Salt Lake City! I have been reading and following a book this summer called The Artist Way where the idea is to write morning pages to open your mind and flow with creativity. Additionally, it tasks you with one thing each week as your "Artist's Date." That could be anything from rummaging through an estate sale, going to a funky shop by yourself.. basically any new experience. This venture into the tabernacle served as my artist's date for the week. Honestly I was more into exploring downtown Salt Lake than planning to head to the temple grounds, but as I got closer I grew intrigued to see it. I also had someone following me and shouting obscenities, so when I saw the green space here (and security officers and crowds), I thought, sure, why not head that way?! The tabernacle has a presence, for sure. It was quiet, with some people pulling up seats in the pews and just kicking back. There was no live choir, but at one point a recording of choir went off and added a nice ambiance. Someone got up to do an acoustic display; they dropped a pencil without a mic and I could hear it clear as day in the back. The domed roof allows for that, similar to many cathedrals I've been in across Europe. I enjoyed the energy here. I heard lots of Mormons connecting as many had traveled from various cities and continents, and while not Mormon myself, I caught glimpses of their community and belonging that were nice to observe. Sometimes the unplanned discoveries when out and about, or on the artist's date in this case, are some of the more fun elements of day to day living. This one definitely snuck up on me, and I'm grateful for the brief experience. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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Sister Johnson gave us a personal tour. Her enthusiasm was contagious. She invited us back in 2027 when the temple will be reopened and for the first time visitors who aren't members of the temple are invited. She spoke about how this building was built in the 1800s before they were microphones and the arched roof allowed Brigham Young's voice to get carried throughout the tabernacle. She shared that pieces of the organ are behind the wall and behind the organ. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Great place to visit during the week and listen to them play the music through a large organ. read more

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What an amazing experience. Highly recommend stopping by, even if just for an open rehearsal, when in the area. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

We were fortunate to come on a Thursday night at 7:30pm to watch the Tabernacle Choir's rehearsal. Many of the Choir's rehearsals are free and open to the public. Weekly public rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Sunday mornings (8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.). The process to become a member of the Choir is rigorous, stretching over 9 months. An individual must meet a set of membership criteria, complete a four-phase audition process, and then complete 16 weeks of training. At the conclusion of that process, successful candidates become members of The Tabernacle Choir. All 360 members of The Tabernacle Choir and all 110 members of the Orchestra at Temple Square are unpaid volunteers who practice and perform weekly. Just in awe of how well the acoustics are in "this building that was designed by an architect who normally built bridges." read more

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What an awesome place. The organ is incredible. This is a must see! Now seats 3,000 when full, but originally could fit 7,000 very tightly. read more

Timing was on our side as the Mormon Tabernacle had a free bell ringing concert the one night that we were in town. Located across the street from the City Creek Center, the area was bustling on a Friday evening with shoppers, locals, and tourists alike. But once you enter the Temple Square, you feel a certain solitude surrounded by the gardens and the beautiful architecture reminiscent of what you might find in Italy. Back to the Tabernacle, even though we did not hear the choir, seeing and hearing in person what I have only seen on TV, showed nothing compares to the acoustics of the real thing even with the bell ringers and other musicians during the concert. The only thing missing was a restroom in the building. You have to exit and go around to one of the public restrooms on the Square which meant another bag check upon return and if I am not mistaken, it sounds like bottled water is not allowed. read more

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Beautiful place! We really enjoyed roaming the grounds. Located downtown with easy in and out location. Friendly helpers everywhere. You're allowed in most areas but not the actual tabernacle unless your a member. (understandable) everything else was open to the public. You could take tours, ask questions or self tour. Great place! read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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The tabernacle was amazing both inside and out! Our tour guides, sister Bastian and sister Garcia were very knowledgeable and told us a lot about the history of everything, the tabernacle included. My group was also lucky enough to be able to go to a performance of the organ by a guest on Sunday afternoon (normally they play once a day at noon, but on Sunday's it seems like they also perform at 2pm). It was amazing the Range of sounds the organ could play and how well it sounded. I'm so glad we had the chance to be able to stop by and listen after our tour was over. read more

I sat in awe Thursday night. It was so musically beautiful that I wanted to cry. The orchestra perfectly accompanied the choir, the choir perfectly accompanied each other. The conductor perfected interpretations that already seemed perfect. One section was atonal with intricate time changes. It would have been so easy to lose control. But the musicians soared and when the piece ended the last note hung over the temple. It was breathtaking. Do a little research. It is not easy to even get a chance to audition. These volunteer musicians are well prepared.I urge you to attend practice Thursday night at 7:30. It was an experience that I will forget soon. read more

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I've seen this on TV before but never dreamed of being able to see them live and in person. So since I happen to be in Salt Lake City and that on a Sunday, I just had to go and attend a broadcast. The sheer size of the choir, the orchestra, the organ and the congregation... breathtaking. We walked in during the rehearsal and were immediately greeted and escorted to seats. We had the chance to listen to a few songs as we watched the building fill up in anticipation of the actual performance. Then the big moment. You can follow along on the the screens and see what the folks at home will see on their TVs. Trust me though, the broadcast doesn't even come close to the in person experience. This is well worth getting up early on a Sunday. Following the concert you can also wander around the grounds by yourself, or take a free guided tour. Tours are available in a multitude of languages. read more

One of the world's most majestic and glorious choirs, easily accessible and all for free! Whether you're in the city for a vacation, a business trip, or just passing through, if you are in the city for two or three days, you'll have a chance to see the famed choir if you time it right. Great for singles, couples or families. If you want to catch them at their formal best, you can see them Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:00 a.m. when they tape them for their weekly TV and Radio broadcast "Music and the Spoken Word." It's a very smooth production... 4 or 5 songs, a general message about life/community/faith all in 30 minutes that passes by in a flash. Whether you're believer in the Mormon faith or not (I am not), the five minute message or thought on life is general enough to where it's just enough for you to relax yourself and reflect on your life in this world. There are plenty of ushers and greeters throughout the building, but no one cornering you or trying to convert you. If you really want to know more or can't wait to be approached, hang out in the middle of Temple Square or in one of it's buildings. The choir is all that. It's about 360 singers with full orchestra at an average performance. They have 400 singers that they rotate and the singers must live within 100 miles of the city. They do around 75 performances a year... so the Sunday ones, plus various holiday shows and productions. All the dresses are made and tailored in house. I saw them perform at the LDS Conference Center instead of at the Tabernacle. During the Summer months they move the choir to the larger Conference Center just in case it packs out. When I went, only the middle bottom sections of the conference center filled up. No problem at all getting a seat. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. You can show up at 9 a.m. or 9:10 a.m. and you'd find great seats. The choir does some practice before the show from around 8:45-9:15 a.m. This is your best and only opportunity to take photos, as no photography is allowed during the 9:30-10:00 a.m. taping session. You don't need to be in a tie, but do dress respectable, as it is a service. Nice jeans or khakis and a short sleeve shirt is perfectly fine. Know that some Mormons have traveled across the country just to see this choir perform once in their lives. Once you're there, relax and just take it all in. The organ from the skies, the delicate strings, the powerful boom of the tympani, the unison choir of men and women singing their hearts out... it really is gloriful. Practice (open to the public) is Thursday evenings. Formal performance is Sunday mornings. If my friends ask me, "What is there to do in SLC?" I would tell you what I tell them, "Go see the choir!" ***Tip #1: If they are performing at the conference center, there is free parking at the conference center.*** ***Tip #2: Go at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings to take pictures while listening to them warm up.*** read more

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Ok so growing up a member of this great church, I've heard The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra hundreds of times, and had many dreams of playing violin for them. I've only had the opportunity to see them live a handful of times, and it's always been during conference with thousands of people. Getting intimate with them at Music and the Spoken Word today was amazing and made my love for the amazing artistry that each performer has just flourish! Anyone who had not gone to a thirty minute Sunday morning concert of theirs, whether you are Mormon or not, please take the opportunity to do so! You really can't regret such an opportunity. I've heard of people paying tons of money to see this group live before, but Being in Salt Lake, we get a chance every Sunday to watch them live. As great as they are recorded, they are 10 times better live. Please do yourself a favor and go watch them! read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Amazing building with fantastic sound. Stay for a practice concert and a little tour. You won't regret it.

I;ve always been a fan of the Choir and orchestra, but to visit the building, that was impressive. I didn't get there in time for the organ to play but I was impressed by the sheer size. The acoustics in the building were incredible! And the missionaries here were very pleasant and happy to share the story of their version of the Godhead with you. read more

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Thursday night rehearsal is amazing. I'm glad I followed tips of others. No need to stand in line. I arrived at 7:45 and folks were coming and going the whole time. Do as I did and every couple songs move to another spot to experience it from various vantage points, the balcony, the main floor, front row. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Humbling to be present in such awesome event; The World Famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir Rehearsal.... It was truly a privilege and thrill. We were fortunate to be in the city at their usual Thursday night rehearsals. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was formed in the mid-19th century. One of the oldest and largest choirs in the world. Must see and hear them if one gets a chance to visit in Salt Lake City, Utah. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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If possible plan your visit for Thursday evening 7:30-9:pm practice or Sunday 8:30-10:00 am practice during their weekly TV and radio broadcast taping, "Music and the Spoken Word".. The actual show is 30 minutes long and begins with about four songs and a short gospel message. 8:15-8:45 is practice time. Late arrivals are not seated.The songs are either worship, gospel or classical. It's free just be respectful, dress appropriately and sit back and enjoy a special experience knowing your welcome. Instructions are given about conduct during the taping. With about 360 singers in the choir the room fills with their voices, a huge pipe organ and a full orchestra. If you are not able to make a practice the tabernacle is open to the public if you just want to look around. Special concerts are available throughout the year especially around holidays. They have a website so you can check the dates.There are pay for parking lots, meter parking on the street and sometimes free parking at the adjacent Conference Center. When in Salt Lake City try not to miss hearing the Tabernacle Choir preform. read more

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This is a "must see" in SLC! I recommend arriving 45-60 minutes early to get better seating and watch the choir rehearse if you're attending the broadcast. The choir and musicians are highly talented! The lighting effects enhance the experience too. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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I can't even describe how incredibly beautiful this choir sounds. Usually you have one or two singers who need to be heard over the rest, but this choir blended as if one voice. I am so glad we were able to hear them practice. We had the added bonus of also hearing the orchestra! They played/sang about 6 patriotic songs. I was so inspired I almost stood up. The choir knew these pieces well. The next few songs there was more stop-and-start as the Choir Director corrected them, but being in a choir I expected this. And even enjoyed the way he gave instructions. I couldn't help but smile that he not once spoke with the men-- and most of the correcting was directed at the 2nd Sopranos. :-) The final songs were new and even the orchestra needed direction. At this point the Director addressed the audience, thanked us for attending their practice, and stated we could stay as long as we wanted. And then it became a true choir practice. As for the process of getting inside, that was an experience all to itself. The Confernce Center Auditorium is massive. Seats at least 20,000. Yet people were running to the line as if they thought they wouldn't be able to find a seat. Several doors were opened to allow people inside the building and 2 (maybe 3) doors were open for the auditorium itself. Volunteers were everywhere and were extremely helpful. Two ladies were checking purses at the auditorium doors, which I appreciated. Even though we were towards the end of the throng to get in, we found excellent seats (about ten rows back, middle section. Volunteers were in the aisles, in every section. During the entire practice, their gaze was back towards the doors. We also saw several officers roaming around. I felt safe. As we left, we were thanked by every volunteer we passed. read more

The building itself is interesting with a silver dome on the outside and a massive Choir and Organ on the inside... It's open for visitors when the choir is not in there practicing or performing... I missed the show but still enjoyed seeing the place.. read more

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This was one of the best parts of our visit to SLC. We went to the Thursday night rehearsal and regardless of your religious beliefs, these 300+ voices (and full orchestra) coming together in unison singing to the glory of God was an experience I won't soon forget. Definitely recommend adding it to your list of "must sees" if in the SLC area. Be sure to check their schedule online in advance so you can plan accordingly. read more

Some years ago, while in SLC, I visited Temple Square and was fortunate to sit attendin o one of the choir's rehearsals. Whatever your religious affiliation may be, if you are in the city, do go. On this most recent trip, we sat in on a rehearsal of The Bells. The group is a double handbell choir, and their skills with the bells give voice to a heavenly sound. You can check their website for details of all rehearsals. A must in SLC. read more

I was in SLC for a conference this past weekend and although I am not really religious, I really wanted to check out the MTC and the whole Mormon complex in the center of the city. We had a lovely time, those Mormon's are so incredibly nice. They start at 9:30 on the dot in the Tabernacle on Sunday am so you really need to be there by 9:15. It's a TV broadcast so they don't mess around. We were late so we went to this other building and could watch it on TV, which was almost better since they had these awesome videos of birds and mountains interspersed with the shots of the choir. Plus, they had this pastor talking between songs about random stuff like your hamster getting caught in a heating vent. Afterward at 10 am, they let you go into the Tabernacle to watch the choir rehearsing for the next week. This worked out doubly well because they were singing Xmas songs. It was awesome, I recommend being late. You really shouldn't miss the choir while you are in SLC, it's pretty cool. I think they rehearse on Thursday night too. You don't need tickets or anything and people were dressed pretty causally. read more

This place is MASSIVE! We walked in. We met what I assume to be the nicest living person on the planet. And he gave us a tour of the entire building the choir performs in. I loved this guy! He was so sweet! He even gave us a view of the roof top deck and into the Mormon church gardens at night. It was abasolutely one of the ost spectacular sights I've ever seen. It was gorgeous! It was at night and before Christmas, so the entire city was lit up so beautifully. Our tour guide wasn't at all pushy and told us about the LDS beliefs and was interested about learning our beliefs as well, me not being LDS and all. He was very open minded.Which I didn't expect. AT ALL! I walked into the concert area, and its the size of maybe 2 football fields! I couldnt believe my eyes. It's almost humbing to walk into a huge building like this where people sing about their beliefs. I can't say enough abou this place! But The roof top deck's pre-Christmas view is divine. read more

While in SLC this is a "must see" for all visitors. I was able to attend the choir's Sunday performance that is broadcast over television. Due to the upcoming holiday it was a special performance so they had the full orchestra, the handbell choir and the Tabernacle choir. They start on time, so it's best to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a seat and get settled. There really isn't a bad seat in the house. Instructions are provided on what to do and not to do during the TV broadcast. Late arrivals are not seated. The entire TV product is approximately 30 minutes long. The music and singing were wonderful and everyone puts their all into these performances. The acoustics are absolutely amazing. I would recommend this all visitors to SLC, whether it be on the first visit or the 5th visit, as the performances are never the same. Who cannot take 45 minutes or so to sit back, relax, and listen to some good singing and music? Although not required, I would suggest that women to wear a long skirt (not mini) and dress in a conservative manner, per the church guidelines. A few of us wore pants and/or jeans and obvious that we stood out a bit. Tours are available during operating hours. read more

I sing in the choir.. I love this place.... woot woot!!!!!!

We're not very religious but my cousins are LDS & come here quite a bit. They were showing us around the area & when we came here they told us all about the history & the building. It's a very beautiful building, big marble pillars & the organ is amazing. There was a Choir practice when we came and the acoustics were great too. read more

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Performing Arts Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Wow! What an evening! Imagine being on a magic carpet flying from one continent to the next, experiencing all sorts of people and their culture, their emotion, their pain, their joy, their dignity, their courage and bravery, their sense of adventure, their romance, their fortitude, their patience and their majesty. Imagine the carpet touches down on our own United States and you suddenly experience the glory that our country was and the glory that her people can bring her back to, and your heart beats faster in your chest with a patriotic fervor. Imagine all of that within the space of 2 hours. That was my evening tonight experiencing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the first time, up front and center. Starting off the coast of Europe with Welsh and Gaelic hymns, sweeping through the echoing majestic cathedrals of Europe with pieces by Gounod and Rossini, one even sung in the proper Latin, then suddenly flying across the American Plains with the early pioneers, in my minds eye, cresting the mountain tops with the setting sun while sitting mesmerized by their "Pilgrim Song." Then after that almost anesthetizing moment in time, being suddenly and brutally wrenched from joy as the tortured shackled sound of African American Slave Spirituals wrench your heart and moisten your eye, watching and hearing and feeling the anguish of the soloist singing these songs of hopeless hope and desperation. And then, out of nowhere, to save you and raise you from that pit of sorrow, comes Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov's mighty "Glory!" to fill you with impetuous bravado, and you are brought even further up as you are treated to the majestic courts of King David and Solomon, or so it seems by the sounds of a Sephardic Wedding Song straight out of The Ten Commandments or Ben-Hur! And then, almost as an antidote so that one does not explode from all the excitement, comes to your ears absolutely beautiful and harmonic sounds from Nigeria, and you close your eyes and sway with the choir as you are swept away to...to the Plateau State in central Nigeria, to the vast plains and mighty waterfalls and exotic animals, and it comes to mind, what a beautiful people to have made such a beautiful sound. Suddenly, you are torn from this, almost too soon the carpet brings you back to the States, where you are treated to romance and adventure and fun and the American Way of Life by the likes of Berlin, Rodgers, Gershwin and Willson. But temperance being a good thing, an emotional rendition of "Sunrise, Sunset" returns you to reality while it recalls the sufferings of a people through the sufferings of a father. I sat there and thought deeply of my own father who loved the film more than any other film, and I whispered, "Dad, wherever you are, pay attention to this!" There was a huge American Flag stage left and it seemed proper that the wind should begin to gust so mightily that the flag snapped and whipped about whilst the Choir and Orchestra mightily roared the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and left the piece echoing in our ears as they took their final bows. This was the end of the program, but they encored in the Mighty Mountains and Green Rolling Hills of Austria with an astoundingly beautiful rendition of "Climb Every Mountain." The Choir ended the performance very appropriately, seeing the various cultures and races represented by the members, with "This Land Is Your Land," and of course everyone was singing along! In spite of the weather, this turned out to be a wonderful evening with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Bethel Woods, NY. Mind you, it rained at Woodstock too!!!! read more

Their music is so inspiring! Whenever I listen to their singing, I am always inspired and lifted. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing is amazing as is The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Definitely listen to them! read more

If you happen to be in SLC on a thursday night between 1930-2100, be sure to go in at the Tabernacle. Better yet come in on Sunday morning 0930 to watch the actual performance. What a nice surprise it was for us to have watched and enjoyed the choir practice when we really intended to just walk the LDS square. The practice was an amazing experience. I can't even picture the complete event. Going back, the practice consisted of a full orchestra and talented singers gracefully united by the conductor. The performance does not require the audience to be religious or spritual in anyway just be respectful and enjoy. If you have ample time, be sure to sit for the cressendo of the performance as it is magnificent. All of it for free! read more

My 14-year-old son is an agnostic but how can you come to Salt Lake City without visiting Temple Square and hearing the Choir? I planned our 2 week road trip of The West so that we were in SLC on a Sunday and could attend the live taping of Music and the Spoken Word. My son wasn't thrilled either before or after, but he left fascinated by the city and its culture so it was something. I found the experience amazing and am even more convinced that you can't miss a performance when visiting SLC (though I have to admit that after catching the full dress rehearsal they do just before the live airing, we snuck out early to get back on the road). read more