The 1911 tour also included performances at the historic New York City Hippodrome Theater, which at the time was billed as the world's largest theater. The group also boarded the battleship USS Utah to accompany the presentation of the state-donated silver service, which was used for formal dinners when ship's officers entertained dignitaries in foreign ports.

Over the years, the choir has participated in 13 World's Fairs and Expositions, and it has performed in 28 different countries, appearing in the great concert halls of North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Choir members have performed before a total of 10 U.S. presidents and participated in five inaugurations. After the choir sang at President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981, Reagan dubbed it "America's Choir." This appropriate name has stuck, based on the choir's popularity and broad appeal to members of every faith and culture for more than 150 years.

In 1929, the weekly radio program "Music and the Spoken Word" began broadcasting the choir's songs. The group appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1958. On July 23, 1962, the choir participated in a historic telecast via satellite to Europe from Mount Rushmore.

While the choir is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support its activities.

Since the 1960s, several of its recordings have attained gold or platinum status. In 1959, the choir received a Grammy Award for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." And in 1987, they won an Emmy Award for "Christmas Sampler."

Over the years, thousands of Utahns have sung for the choir, which now allows participants ages 25 to 60. Choir members are currently limited to 20 years of participation.

E-MAIL: marchaddock@utwire.com