Mormon Tabernacle Choir invites world to sing Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs with James Taylor and the Utah Symphony Orchestra. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has received praise and criticism for its decision to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. (

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has once again invited the whole world to sing along with their performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on March 22.

Every two years around Easter time, the choir live broadcasts their performance so small church choirs, families and others who want to sing the famous Hallelujah chorus can do so. On mormontabernaclechoir.org they have included links to the sheet music as well as instructions on how to join in.

Kim Farah, the publicist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, encourages BYU students to log on and sing along.

Another section of the website has the full history of both Handel’s life and the life of the iconic song, which is significant not only because it takes two and a half hours to perform, but because of the message it contains.

“We always think of Christmas because of the Hallelujah chorus,” Farah said. “But it actually tells the story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Though controversial when it was first performed because of the scriptural verses included and the very holy subject, Handel’s “Messiah” has become extremely well known, especially because of its Hallelujah chorus. It was originally written for a much smaller chorus, possibly due to the lack of available people and funds. As time went by, larger choruses became increasingly popular. Mack Wilberg, the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, has adapted the music to 360 choral performers.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has brought on two male and two female vocalists with accomplished backgrounds in opera. Tyler Simmons, Tyler Nelson, Tamara Mumford and Amanda Woodbury will sing different parts of the Libretto, and the choir and everyone who chooses to sing along will join in for the chorus.

The event will take place on Temple Square in Salt Lake City at the conference center. The event will begin at 7 p.m. with a half hour, pre-concert feed followed by the two and a half hour performance.

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