Reader comments
New music director selected for Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Jonathan | 1:23 a.m. March 29, 2008

Mack Wilberg, okay, that's nice. Now tell us what happened with Jessop.

J.Roberto Viveiros | 6:22 a.m. March 29, 2008

None of our business ... just enjoy the beauty of the talent that everyone was blessed with ... Congratulations Bro Wilberg.

Brian P | 7:19 a.m. March 29, 2008

Having been a member of the Tabernacle Choir for 6 and 1/2 years, I think if ANYONE deserves the opportunity to "have a life" and take care of family and personal needs, it's Craig Jessop. You have no idea how much constant pressure and demands are placed upon him. As members of the choir, we are counseled to take care of "family first." Craig would sacrifice huge amounts of his time for not only the regular weekly broadcasts, but for tours, recordings, and an endless array of choir and orchestra - related issues. He has a wonderful and supportive family, but come on, he also has a "life!"

What we don't need are cynical individuals casting doubts as to his motives or the motives of the church in his resignation. Craig Jessop is a warm, genuine, and caring human father, son, and grandfather as well as a musician. He would have nothing other than the purest of motives in tendering his resignation. I have know Craig for more than 35 years and can say this deserves to be laid to rest.

Comments continue below

MoJules | 9:16 a.m. March 29, 2008

I am very happy for Brother Wilberg, he will do an awesome job and has done an awesome job. I also want to say that Brother Jessop has really served this church with conducting the choir. I serve on a ward basis as the music specialist, it requires thought, awareness, creativity, it is not even close to what these great men do for the choir and the church. Our little ward choir does about 12 songs a year, they do a great job, but I can't even imagine the time and effort of 350 songs a year, yes they know many of those, but it still is work and practice. I watch the Spoken Word every week, it puts me in the right mode for church and it also reminds me of how old I am getting, there are two people from my high school in the choir. Best of luck to Brother Wilburg and the choir.

Kaleb | 9:49 a.m. March 29, 2008

It is nobody's business what happened with the former director of this highly visible, public choir!

Don't ask questions. Just sit in a thoughtless stupor and accept whatever the kings and priests tell you without question.

Get it yet?

Archie | 10:48 a.m. March 29, 2008

I know both Mack Wilberg and Ed Thompson, the choir is in very good and capable hands. In fact, as good as it ever has been.

Lisa | 11:56 a.m. March 29, 2008

I just wanted to tell Dr. Wilberg Congraulations on his new job as Choir Director i know that he will do a good job He is one of the best Composers of all time, He picks the best atrangements of all time, Congraulations on a job that will be well done by Dr. Wilberg,

To Monitor | 2:59 p.m. March 29, 2008

It is really silly and demonstrates a lack of a sense of humor when you don't post this:

"How can anyone possibly sing seriously and without cracking up while looking at Wilberg's mug? I mean, really, is that Elmer Fudd leading the choir or what?!"

Give it a chance and quit being so ridiculous.

To Brian P. | 5:45 p.m. March 29, 2008

Your point is well made when it comes to a private person leaving for private reasons. But, no matter how you cut it, Craig Jessop was in the highest profile public position in Mormon music.

He handled his leaving unprofessionally, poorly timed, and shocked those both in and out of the choir. When people, both inside and outside the organization feel hurt, stunned, uninformed, and are left wondering if it was them, you have a RESPONSIBILITY to explain. If you don't want a public life don't enter into it...because you certainly have to exit it--and hofefully with some class, which wasn't even close to the case here.

Not Them | 6:48 p.m. March 29, 2008

No one in the choir thinks it's "them". We all have the right to privacy in our lives. While his leaving was a surprise, it's his right to be personal about personal things.

Chris | 7:42 p.m. March 29, 2008

Wow, Kaleb. Your hostility is breathtaking. Does this come through in all areas of your life, or just in connection to the LDS church?

Dennis | 11:11 p.m. March 29, 2008

Oh, I get it, Kaleb......You want dirt. Never mind that good or bad it is none of your business. Public or not. If someone simply resigns, there must be something that someone is holding over their head. Gee, if someone out there doesn't tell him the REAL scoop, he just might make something up on his own, or just let fly with a little inuendo, or "this is what I heard....", Get a life buster, and leave us alone. By the way your sarcasm makes me wonder what kind of stupor You are in.

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Ravell Call, Deseret News

With Tabernacle Choir president Mac Christensen in the background, Mack Wilberg speaks after he was announced as the choir's new director. Wilberg has been the associate director of the choir since 1999.