Did you know that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir also has a Bell Choir? Yes, and this year is their 10th Anniversary celebration! In 2005 a generous anonymous donation allowed the creation of The Bells on Temple Square. Like all Tabernacle Choir entities, membership in “the Bells” is a voluntary (unpaid) service which requires a high professional level of musicianship, a challenging audition process, and a dedicated rehearsal schedule. None of those requirements are deterrents. In fact, over 200 people auditioned for the original 32 spots! It also seems that being a “Bell” endures the test of time; a decade later there are still thirteen original ringing members, with their original director Linda Willmore at the helm.
Fun Fact: The set of handbells used by the Bells on Temple Square has grown to include a seven-octave set of English handbells, a six-and-a-half-octave set of handbells, and two six-octave sets of hand chimes. The Handbells weigh as little as 7 oz (200 g) or upwards of 18 lb (8.2 kg)
The Bells on Temple Square are regularly featured on Mormon Tabernacle Choir recordings, and often seen during Music and the Spoken Word broadcasts. During the Christmas season they are always prominent in the annual Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concerts.
TICKETS! The Annual Bells at Temple Square Concert will be held June 12, 2015. Tickets are free of charge but must be requested at lds.org/events . Mark your calendar for May 19th when tickets become available for request. [There is a limit of 4 tickets per request]
TIP: Be sure to act fast on May 19th! Tickets typically are all gone within the first few hours.
Latter-day Soprano 