The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

What Is The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, also known as MoTab, is a world-famous, critically acclaimed choir composed of 360 members. Every person in the choir and orchestra is a volunteer, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The choir has performed all over the world, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia. The choir has performed at World’s Fairs, the Olympics, and even the inaugurations of almost a dozen U.S. presidents.

The choir has also performed with several celebrities, including Angela Lansbury, Alfie Boe, David Archuleta, Lindsey Stirling, Natalie Cole, Angela Brower, Laura Osnes, and many others!

Where Is The Mormon Tabernacle Choir From

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir originates from Salt Lake City, Utah. Their ‘home base’ so to speak, is the Tabernacle building in Salt Lake. You can listen to performances year round by the choir, and even many rehearsals are open to the public, and free to attend.

What is the Purpose of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

On the choir’s website, they have stated their mission and purpose:

As an ambassador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this unique musical organization transcends cultural and generational boundaries, uniting people worldwide through music.

In addition to this noble purpose, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs during the Church’s bi-annual general conference sessions every year. These performances are very moving and spiritual.

The choir also has a weekly live broadcast called Music and the Spoken Word, and yearly Christmas concerts with celebrity guests.

Who Can Join The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

In an effort to maintain the high-quality sound produced by the choir, there are very strict requirements in regards to who can audition. The following requirements are quoted from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s website:

Candidates must satisfactorily meet the following requirements:

Is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing and able to qualify for a temple recommend.
Is between 25 and 55 years of age on or before [the specific date] when [their] Choir service would begin.
Is currently residing within 100 miles of Temple Square.
Is able to commit to maintaining the required levels of attendance.
Is in good health to permit consistent participation in long rehearsals, demanding travel, and other performance-related requirements.
Has auditioned not more than two times in the past. Applicants will now be limited to a total of three applications over their years of age eligibility.

Besides these requirements, applicants must pass three phases in the audition process.

The first part consists of an unaccompanied recording sung by the applicant. The music director chooses the song, not the applicant.

The second part involves a musical assessment and skills test. This test measures the applicant’s musical ability and aptitude (including knowledge of music theory).

The applicants that advance to the third part will have their final test in person with the music director. They must perform a hymn, sight-read some music, and then they will be tested on their vocal range.

If an applicant passes all parts of this audition process, they are then required to attend a four-month-long musical training program. If and when they finish their training, they will officially be members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.