Reader comments
Wilberg, choir shine at conference debut

Tampa, Florida | 8:04 a.m. April 7, 2008

I felt that the choir's presentation of hymns was more conservative than at recent conferences. The arrangements were simpler and, outside of effective use of dynamics, less of a departure from the basic hymn. The notable exception to this was "If You Could Hie to Kolob" which was a completely foreign melody compared to the hymn book. The choir performed another arrangement of this several years ago which I think is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I was disappointed to hear this Sunday's version as it paled by comparison.
I expected changes with Brother Jessop's departure. While diction seemed improved, I was overall left with the feeling that the choir's presentation was more staid and had been watered down. Some numbers were good, but most were quite boring.

Linda | 8:36 a.m. April 7, 2008

The music was beautiful and I enjoyed it very much. I am grateful for the choir and the message they give. Bro. Wilbeerg did an excellent job. I think that the music reflected the occasion very well.

Way to go.... | 9:00 a.m. April 7, 2008

Brother Wilberg.....You were magnificent....

Comments continue below

Mark | 9:05 a.m. April 7, 2008

Beautiful and dynamic. I don;t know if it was just me, but I thought it was better than before.

deltabelle | 9:09 a.m. April 7, 2008

The choir was fine but I detected a dip in enthusiasm. The organization is probably just dealing with change.

Ken Baguley | 9:21 a.m. April 7, 2008

"Dip in enthusiasm?" I observed more vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm. Where were you deltabelle?

Ben | 9:53 a.m. April 7, 2008

Mack Wilberg is equally as good a conductor as Craig Jessop. The only downside to Wilberg as director is that it will give him less time to compose and arrange the music that has made the choir's performances so outstanding since he has been associate conductor.

Wilberg is probably the best living LDS composer and arranger, and he is a fabulous technician of choral directing. He is a very humble man who doesn't like the spotlight.

Great job Dr. Wilberg!

Anonymous | 11:06 a.m. April 7, 2008

The opening song was not "O My Father" as noted in the article, but "Lead,Kindly Light".

The tune to "If You Could Hie To Kolob" is an older version rendition from the older hymnals(blue or brown ?).

Mack did a wonderful job and so did the choir.

Choir Member | 12:08 p.m. April 7, 2008

Actually the choir opened the Saturday session with "How Wondrous and Great" from the Hymn Book page 267. "Lead Kindly Light" was after some introductory remarks followed by the opening prayer then "Praise to the Man". The reason the Choir did the older version of "If you Could Hie to Kolob" was because it was a special request by one of the general authorities. As for the songs chosen being "more staid and had been watered down" well-some songs are sung straight out of the hymnbook to give members the idea that they too can sing these arrangements in their meetings. Originally the Choir was going to sing a different arrangement of "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" but the decision was made to use the hymnbook version instead. The choir actually took over an hour of extra rehearsal time this conference compared to past conferences to prepare. Of the many conferences I have been priveleged to sing in-I felt that the choir was more prepared and was able to connect with the congregation much better than before. It is truly a blessing for me to take part and contribute to the spirit of these meetings.

JHP from TX | 1:51 p.m. April 7, 2008

I thought the choir was absolutely phenominal. You won't hear one complaining word from me. Why does everyone nitpick so bad!!!! Let us oft speak kind words!!!

Steve | 1:52 p.m. April 7, 2008

AWESOME JOB, TAB!!!

non lds | 3:25 p.m. April 7, 2008

Your music is wonderful Too bad most of the songs I have never heard- Thanks for good music to uplift others. You deserve to have good music!

Kim, Greenland | 4:22 p.m. April 7, 2008

What a wonderful performance -it went to the soul.
Enjoyed that it was conservatively from the hymnbook.

Tampa, Florida | 5:24 p.m. April 7, 2008

I hope no offense was taken at my previous comments. None was intended. I am a great fan and admirer of the choir and their dedication.
Admittedly, "boring" wasn't the best word choice. "Predictable" is more suitable.
I wasn't nitpicking, but offered my opinion based on my observations. My comments say more about my expectations than the choir's performance. I'm sorry that my feeble expression of my opinions may have overshadowed my "kind words" regarding improved diction, effective dynamics, and a previous arrangement being "one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard." That previous performance of "If You Could Hie to Kolob" made me weep and touched me profoundly. As a convert who hasn't been around as long as the GA who requested this version, I'm unfamiliar with it and found it less accessible, as probably did most in the Church. It was still enjoyable.
My experience in recent years is that conference has always had one or two arrangements that were enough of a departure from the hymn book to offer some musical surprises that left me saying a reverent, "Wow!. This conference was missing that for me, but the choir was still great as always.

Sandman501 | 6:56 p.m. April 7, 2008

The Choir under Mack fantastic direction was wonderful. I wish the sound was balanced better, the organ sounded muffled. I know that someone has said that the organ was too loud, but, out here in TV land it needs to be louder-particularly when Rich Elliot is playing.

John R | 7:54 p.m. April 7, 2008

I don't generally comment, but thought I should add my words of praise. While the MTC of yester years was outstanding, the current version, using Bro Wilberg's arrangements moves me to tears. While I prefer the other verision of Kolob, this one was an outstanding performance.

Awful | 9:54 a.m. April 8, 2008

Although the choir was generally great I thought that the arrangement of called to serve was awful. Some things are better left alone.

DeweyZ | 5:42 p.m. April 8, 2008

I am not as knowledgable as some of you with your comments. I can only say that all the numbers the Choir sang gave me chills and really helped me with the spirit of the whole conference. Thanks to our great choir. I am grateful.

Carl in Boise | 11:58 a.m. April 9, 2008

I thought the choir was outstanding. To be able to understand every word with a choir of that size is amazing. Couldn't disagree more with the comment from 'awful' about Called To Serve. I absolutely loved that arrangement.
I enjoy the full choir, but the richness of sound when the men sing alone is just wonderful.
I so look forward to more treasures from this remarkable man.

Good point..... | 3:40 p.m. April 9, 2008

but he'll manage...

Ben | 9:53 a.m. Apr. 7, 2008
"Mack Wilberg is equally as good a conductor as Craig Jessop. The only downside to Wilberg as director is that it will give him less time to compose and arrange the music that has made the choir's performances so outstanding since he has been associate conductor."

Wilberg is probably the best living LDS composer and arranger, and he is a fabulous technician of choral directing. He is a very humble man who doesn't like the spotlight.

Great job Dr. Wilberg!

Chris | 6:44 p.m. April 10, 2008

JHP from TX,I agree! Why does everyone nitpick so much? It may be being in the Conference Center for Conference for the first time, but I felt that this was the most powerful Conference I've seen in a long time! A large part of that was the Choir!

Choir Fan | 5:03 a.m. April 12, 2008

As a professional musician who is LDS (but in another part of the country), let me say that the MTC is perhaps the finest volunteer choir that exists today. No other denomination, Christian or otherwise, has a choir that can even come close. The same can be said about the Orchestra at TS. They are the finest all-volunteer orchestra there is. I am so very grateful for each of them and their willingness to give their time and talents in the Lord's service. Their music at Conference was moving, inspiring, and exceptional. Mack Wilberg is perhaps the best arranger alive today, and we are so blessed to have him at the helm of our choir. To anyone from the choir who reads this, thank you for all that you do. You are one of the greatest blessings to my life, and each time I hear you sing, I experience a little bit of heaven. May God bless each one of you as you serve him so well.

Annie | 12:26 a.m. April 13, 2008

I couldn't dissagree more with your comment, Awful. Men's voices are what make a Hymn firm. Called to serve is one that must be sung with great power and firmnes. With conviction. It's not a lullaby like "Oh my Father", it's a marcial Hymn. I was actually holding my breath in my seat dreading the moment when women would start signing... but they didn't! I take my hat off for Maestro Wilberg. Bold choice!

G. Cardwell, St. Peters, MO | 12:37 p.m. April 23, 2008

I'm glad I belong to a church where we can comment as has been done before me. Our critics should take note. That said, I felt there was great variety in the music at this conference. I hope it continues. I will miss Bro. Jessop. I feel that he and Bro. Wilburg were an amazing team that obviously were able to bring the choir and orchestra to a level of performance excellence that we have not seen nor heard before. I'm confident that Bro. Wilburg will find an assistant that will compliment him as he complimented Bro. Jessop. My only hope is that our music at conference will continue to have the variety that I spoke of earlier. We need the soft, prayerful hymns; we also the need the triumphant anthems; and we also need the call to arms martials. Each in its place presented with appropriate emotion and the spirit. I would have no testimony were it not for music (both Church and secular). I'm grateful for the music that I've been privileged to perform and listen to throughout my sixty years in mortality. May the choir and orchestra continue in their magnificent mission of music. Regards, GKC

Leland Wade | 10:47 a.m. May 12, 2008

i am from Connecticut. I am a 77 y/o widower..have taught voice in Manhattan for more than 40 years and gave that daily commute up when i became 70. I have have listened to the MTC for over sixty years. I marvel ath their generosity and faitfulness. Their Christmas concerts absolutely make my holiday. I have directed choirs and vocal ensembles (toured one professionally for several years) and i know a good deal about what it takes to maintain that high level of work. Mack Wilberg's arranging is of the very highest order... he thrills me over and over.I wish him nd the Temple and the choir the very best and cannot wait for the future to unfold. I watch every Sunday morning at 6:30 before i play organ at a church twenty miles from my home...always feel lifted by the organ, orchestra and choir. My thanks to all of you... my wife loved you too!!! Hope she hears you still.

Beth E. | 10:22 a.m. May 15, 2008

THANKS so much to all of you for your positive comments. I love singing in the Choir for just people like you. God bless you all. And, Mack Wilberg is so much more talented than any of us realize. It is humbling to watch the Lord work through him. It is my privilege to serve under his leadership.

Choir member Fay | 3:01 p.m. May 16, 2008

Thanks so much for all the comments about and gratitude for the choir and our amazing director. It is an honor for me to sit in the loft with these talented people each week. I count it one of my richest blessings.

Mississippi | 12:11 p.m. May 20, 2008

Mack Wilberg is a living legend and the Mormon Tabenacle Choir is a piece of heaven on earth. Their latest Conference numbers were beautifully executed and accurately interpreted. I felt the Spirit so strongly when I heard them sing. The faming that their muisc adds to the spoken word of the Conference is solid. The mere thought of 350+ voices united in love, meaning, and purpose is faith-promoting in itself. The weight of what Bro. Wilberg is carrying on his shoulders is staggering to think about. He is, and will be, in my daily prayers.

David White | 8:18 p.m. Aug. 20, 2009

Dear Mr. Wilberg, I am Director of Music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Springdale AR. I faithfully watch Music & the Word, & was moved by your arrangement of Bricusse's "Fill the World with Love". Is it in publication? I feel my choir would love to do this piece. I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you. David White

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Wilberg, choir shine at conference debut

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Reader comments Wilberg, choir shine at conference debut

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Wilberg, choir shine at conference debut