Tabernacle Choir Observes Anniversary

Who remembers listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Tuesday afternoon? It hasn’t been that way for half a century, so most listeners don’t realize that when “Music and the Spoken Word” began broadcasting in 1929 it was a weekday program, carried over the U.S. NBC network. But a short three years later, the choir did a double switch to Sunday mornings and to CBS. It has maintained that schedule since 4 September 1932—through five directors, five commentators, and a variety of organists. And on Sunday, September 5 of this year, the choir observed this important anniversary with a special program. As part of its regular “Spoken Word” broadcast, commentator J. Spencer Kinard spoke of the choir’s unique relationship to the lives of its listeners.

A second program followed, designed for local Utah broadcast by KSL radio and television. It featured, in addition to music from the choir, remarks by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency, Arch Madsen of KSL Inc., Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce president Fred Ball, and a representative from CBS Radio.