Blab Music
Tabernacle Choir Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with 25-Year-Long Tradition of Patriotic Tribute
On the night of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square turned a private concert into a living memorial that would echo every anniversary. The program, originally scheduled for a regular Sunday service, was altered in the midst of the attacks to include patriotic staples—America the Beautiful, God Bless America, The Battle Hymn of the Republic—and a U.S. national anthem. The First Presidency approved the change, and director Craig Jessop with associate director Mack Wilberg carried it forward.
President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed the gathered choir, while counselors Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust offered prayers. In his brief remarks, Hinckley referenced the Savior, Jesus Christ, as a source of calm amid the fear and anger that had gripped the nation. Wilberg later reflected that Hinckley’s words “brought a sense of calm and a sense of comfort.” The choir’s rendition of God Bless America, based on Roy Ringwald’s version that begins as a prayer, builds, and then returns to a soft close, was described by Wilberg as “unusual” and “so poignant for that particular occasion in that particular time.”
The following day, President George W. Bush declared September 14 a national day of prayer and remembrance. The choir and orchestra performed two memorial services that were broadcast over the Church’s satellite system. Songs of peace and comfort—Blessed Are They That Mourn (from Brahms’ Requiem), How Great the Wisdom and the Love, God So Loved the World, Where Can I Turn for Peace?, and Nearer, My God, to Thee—joined the patriotic pieces. General manager Scott Barrick, then based in California, recalled feeling connected to the event and noted the choir’s impact in a difficult moment.
Since that first evening, the choir has produced “Music & the Spoken Word” specials for many holidays and anniversaries, including 9/11. The 10th‑anniversary program in 2011, 9/11: Rising Above, featured television anchor Tom Brokaw as the guest narrator. The six songs from that special were released as a digital album. The choir’s YouTube channel, launched on October 31, 2012, has since allowed the group to share its music more flexibly.
The 20th‑anniversary celebration in 2021 unfolded amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Journalist Jane Clayson Johnson hosted the broadcast, 9/11: Coming Together, which was recorded in New Jersey across the river from the World Trade Center memorial. The program included Kristin Chenoweth’s performance of Angels Among Us from the 2019 Christmas concert and other previously recorded choir and orchestra pieces.
According to Church News archives, the choir has continued to perform patriotic programs near the 9/11 anniversary, especially when the anniversary falls on a Sunday. Former choir historian Swinton said the choir’s music “breaches all kinds of divides and even languages because they sing from their hearts and from their very souls.” Wilberg has stated that the choir’s purpose in challenging times is to bring hope, comfort, light and peace.
The choir’s tradition of commemorating 9/11 has become a fixture of the annual calendar. While the 25th‑anniversary event is scheduled for September 2026, the choir’s leadership has indicated that the program will continue the pattern of patriotic and reflective music, with speeches from Church leaders and a focus on the themes of hope and unity.
In summary, the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have, for the past 25 years, turned the anniversary of September 11 into a platform for patriotic tribute and spiritual solace. Their performances, speeches, and broadcasts have offered a consistent source of comfort for listeners across the United States and beyond, reinforcing the choir’s role as a national voice of hope during times of crisis.
President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed the gathered choir, while counselors Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust offered prayers. In his brief remarks, Hinckley referenced the Savior, Jesus Christ, as a source of calm amid the fear and anger that had gripped the nation. Wilberg later reflected that Hinckley’s words “brought a sense of calm and a sense of comfort.” The choir’s rendition of God Bless America, based on Roy Ringwald’s version that begins as a prayer, builds, and then returns to a soft close, was described by Wilberg as “unusual” and “so poignant for that particular occasion in that particular time.”
The following day, President George W. Bush declared September 14 a national day of prayer and remembrance. The choir and orchestra performed two memorial services that were broadcast over the Church’s satellite system. Songs of peace and comfort—Blessed Are They That Mourn (from Brahms’ Requiem), How Great the Wisdom and the Love, God So Loved the World, Where Can I Turn for Peace?, and Nearer, My God, to Thee—joined the patriotic pieces. General manager Scott Barrick, then based in California, recalled feeling connected to the event and noted the choir’s impact in a difficult moment.
Since that first evening, the choir has produced “Music & the Spoken Word” specials for many holidays and anniversaries, including 9/11. The 10th‑anniversary program in 2011, 9/11: Rising Above, featured television anchor Tom Brokaw as the guest narrator. The six songs from that special were released as a digital album. The choir’s YouTube channel, launched on October 31, 2012, has since allowed the group to share its music more flexibly.
The 20th‑anniversary celebration in 2021 unfolded amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Journalist Jane Clayson Johnson hosted the broadcast, 9/11: Coming Together, which was recorded in New Jersey across the river from the World Trade Center memorial. The program included Kristin Chenoweth’s performance of Angels Among Us from the 2019 Christmas concert and other previously recorded choir and orchestra pieces.
According to Church News archives, the choir has continued to perform patriotic programs near the 9/11 anniversary, especially when the anniversary falls on a Sunday. Former choir historian Swinton said the choir’s music “breaches all kinds of divides and even languages because they sing from their hearts and from their very souls.” Wilberg has stated that the choir’s purpose in challenging times is to bring hope, comfort, light and peace.
The choir’s tradition of commemorating 9/11 has become a fixture of the annual calendar. While the 25th‑anniversary event is scheduled for September 2026, the choir’s leadership has indicated that the program will continue the pattern of patriotic and reflective music, with speeches from Church leaders and a focus on the themes of hope and unity.
In summary, the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have, for the past 25 years, turned the anniversary of September 11 into a platform for patriotic tribute and spiritual solace. Their performances, speeches, and broadcasts have offered a consistent source of comfort for listeners across the United States and beyond, reinforcing the choir’s role as a national voice of hope during times of crisis.
