Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Arizona turns 100 years old on February 14th, 2012.  For some reason I am really excited about that.  Did you know that Arizona was the "baby" of the republic?  Yes, it was refered to as the "Baby State".  Do you know why?  It was the last of the contiguous 48 states to be admitted to the union.  It remained the baby state for 47 years.  That is when Alaska and Hawaii gained statehood. 

Tonight we are going downtown to a concert given by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (280 choir members)  and the Orchestra at Temple Square (65 orchsetra members).  This concert is an official Arizona Centennial activity.  Tonight's performance will include a mix of hymns, classical music and showtunes. They have only been to Arizona one other time - over 40 years ago.  So we are really feeling lucky that they are coming here. 

We bought several extra tickets.  Our block of tickets will be used by:  Doug and I, my mom, Sheri Swerdfeger and her date (she is a tennis friend of mine), and our tenants/and friends the Montenegro's.

We will go out for something to eat before the concert.  Then we will ride the light rail downtown - for free.  Then we will be entertained, inspired, and awed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

Here are a few interesting facts:

The choir is a 360 member all volunteer choir.  Why 360?  That is how many seats were in the choir rostrom. 

The members must travel to SLC several times a week for all practices and weekly performances.  They are not reimbursed for their participation, travel expenses, or performances.  

To be a choir member you must be at least 25 years old and no older than 60.  And you are limited to 20 years in the choir. 

The choir has been in existence for 164 years.

The orchestra is a 110 member all volunteer group.
 
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square tour every other year.