The Mormon Tabernacle Choir journeys to Virginia for back-to-back concerts in Norfolk and Vienna. Direct from Monday’s program in Norfolk that closes the Virginia Arts Festival, the orchestra and 360 singers arrive at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center on Wednesday to perform their characteristic uplifting numbers that emphasize faith and family traditions in a variety of musical styles. The all-volunteer organization formed in 1847 to share a love of music, and cut its first recording in 1910. A century later, the Grammy Award-winning choir has released more than 150 albums, tours throughout North America on a biennial basis and performs extensively on radio and television worldwide. Its latest album, “Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” hit No. 1 on Billboard.
Mack Wilberg, the music director since 2008 and a former professor of music at Brigham Young University, revels in his role. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by great artists worldwide, as well as by the MTC. Along with selecting, training and conducting the choir and orchestra members, he chooses the repertoire, plans tours and recordings and is responsible for the weekly broadcast from Temple Square by the Orchestra, Chorale and Bells.
| Onstage |
| Mormon Tabernacle Choir |
| Where Wolf Trap Filene Center |
| When: 8 p.m. Wednesday |
| Info: $40 to $60 in-house, $22 lawn; 877-965-8727; wolftrap.org. |
“The MTC is known for singing music by great master composers, hymns, American music, Broadway numbers, popular songs and inspirational music,” Wilberg said. “If the audience doesn’t like one genre, they need only wait for the next number.
“The choir members are chosen by straight audition of potential members who live within a 100-mile radius of Salt Lake City. They must be highly skilled and able to learn between 300 and 400 pieces each year. They also must be dedicated to attending rehearsals and performances. It’s usually harder on their families than on them.
“Because we have only 360 seats and many applications, our retirement policy is strict. Each member may sing for 20 years or until age 60, with no exceptions.”
Like many youngsters growing up in Utah, Wilberg aspired to participate in the unique music program. His father was a coal miner and his mother a teacher who taught him piano after he began playing by ear at age 4. He pursued piano, organ and clarinet until the choral bug bit him in college. Upon earning degrees in choral music from BYU and the University of Southern California, he joined the faculty of BYU as professor of music.
“I loved teaching and directing choral activities at BYU, but nothing surpasses working with the MTC musicians,” he said. “Although the orchestra and chorus members are all volunteers, they are at a very high level with strict standards. Many of them teach at local universities. It’s one thing to hear them on TV or on a CD, but the impact of hearing them live is beyond expectation.”
Laughing, he added, “We were at Wolf Trap six or seven years ago and still remember the humidity. It was like a sauna bath, but the benefit is that humidity is great for the vocal chords.”
