Comments about ‘30-year Tabernacle organist is retiring’

I had to see him retire, but best wishes to you John.

What a wonderful contribution so many of our priesthood holders give to the world. May our Heavenly Fathers choicest blessings be with Brother Longhurst and his family for his retirement. We will miss seeing and hearing him but he has served us so well. Thanks!

I just want to offer my personal (and very heartfelt) thanks to Brother Longhurst for his many years of service and for the joy he has given me with his artistry. As a "budding" Ward organist (trained in classical piano, which is much different than the organ!), I appreciate how difficult it is to play the organ well. Our community and Church have been blessed by Brother Longhurst and I wish him well in his "retirement." I hope we will have the privilege of hearing him in recital.

I congratulate John on his 30 years of contributions to the Church Music staff. I sat next to John for several years in a Church calling at BYU at which time he was the BYU Carillonist. I watched him over the years as he took the position as a Tabernacle Organist. He has added not only a dimension but will be remembered for his contributions to both the construction of the Conference Center but the fabulous remolding of the Tabernacle. Recently while visiting in Salt Lake I visited with John after a Tabernacle Choir broadcast and had a chance to renew our friendship. Congratulation, John, on a marvelous career and I wish you a Nancy a fruitful retirement.

After years of enjoyment I want to thank John Longhurst for his service in the Tabernacle Choir organization and the lasting legacy he has left in his performances and arrangements and composition. I have seen his concerts and heard him on tour and he is ever the modest, classy performer and has been a blessing to millions as he has shared his considerable talent
I hope he will continue to perform in some venue till the end of his days.
Again, thank you so much. I'm sure the other organists will miss him but feel assured they are more than up to the task of moving forward with Celestial music!

Thank you, John Longhurst! Your music has inspired us all and brought us closer to the celestial realms. May you find much yet to do in your life of service to your God.

Thanks for the years of sharing your talents. What encouragement to see that you have marvelous plans for the future that will bless us all.

The Tabernacle Choir always seems to recover after losing Choir members by retirement, and I suppose it will recover after losing John Longhurst as retiring organist.
It won't be easy.
I see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir each week on television, and often Longhurst is seated at the organ. His part in the success of the Choir is considerable, and he will be missed.

I, for one, would like to thank Brother Longhurst for a most illustrious career. I love organ music and you are one of the best at playing that instrument. I love the song "I Believe in Christ" you composed. Truly inspiring! Thank you for that. I will always cherish the first time I heard you when you played before a number of us missionaries in the Tabernacle so many years ago. God bless!!!

Thank you for the insight and details of a professional musician who has spent his life serving others. As a family, we have attended and enjoyed many performances where John Longhurst was at the organ.

In 1979, while riding a bus to Temple Square one Conference Saturday as a young usher, I had the privelage of sitting next to Brother Longhurst's Mother for several blocks.

I do not recall much of what she said, but have reflected many times on the joy and fullfillment in her voice. When she grabbed my wrist and looked at me with those penetrating eyes and, so proudly said, "My boy plays the organ on Temple Square!"... Well, he "looked so young" back then, I thought he was a boy. She set me straight real quick. Very funny.

I was a new convert to the Church and this was my "brush with fame". We moved to Fort Worth many years ago, but still listen and watch the Broadcast on Satelite TV. He makes it look so easy...

This was a wonderful article to read.

Brother Longhurst,

Thank you for choosing the life of a professional musician. But thank you more for blessing us with beautiful reflections of heaven and our creator.

Thank you for sharing your life. My son wants to be the organist for the church one day. I hope and pray he can have many wonderful experiences in his life as you did.

Thank you John! Your service and musicianship have been superb. I performed on a rectial with you while a student at the U of U and even then you demonstrated superior muscianship. Having taught some of your children in high school music classes, I know you have been a fine parent who supported them and given them the direction they needed in their lives to become productive and caring indviduals. Know that even though they did not choose music as a profession they developed an appreciation for music and were able to meet all the requirements as performers to contribute to a successful music program.
You will be greatly missed! Somehow it won't be the same not seeing you, or not hearing you at the console of the organ for TV broadcasts or at conference. You are truly in a similar category as was Dr. Alexander Schriener when he retired - a legend. Enjoy retirement, but compose more hymns. 'I Believe in Christ' is a classic. Teach organ students so we will enjoy your legacy for many years to come. Reflect on all you have done. It has been good.

As a former member of the Tabernacle Choir, I have seen and heard John Longhurst "up close and personal." Being around John, one quickly recognizes him as a true gentleman. What I admired most and will miss even more is John's ability to take control of an inanimate organ and bring it alive, full of beautiful music. His steady hand on the organ made rehearsals more effective and performances magnificent.

Thanks John, it's an honor to know you.

Congratulations and best wishes to one of the great musicians of our generation. Fans of the Tabernacle Choir have little idea of the influence that Brother Longhurst has had in shaping the sound of the Choir. On many occasions I have seen the conductors turn to him for advice in rehearsals. He has an incredible ear for music and his presence will be missed.

We are thankful for John's friendship and for the special talent he has shared through the years.
He has given much to the Church and the music world and we are appreciative for this blessing.

Many years ago as a nieghbor and a youth home teacher he tought me to love music not to play because I can't. But the love to listen, to the piano and organ. I truely feel and have said many times it was because of John. Thanks John and Best Wishes

As I sat in the Choir, it was amazing to me to find that each of the organists had their own "touch" on the organ, so much so that I could often tell who was at the console just by the subtle differences that each organist brought to the music.
I'm so thankful to have felt Brother John's marvelous musical genius, exciting artistry, and his gentle humor.
Best wishes for your happiness, John, and thank you so much for enriching our lives!

Thank you for developing and sharing your talent.