Additional Resource

By the Numbers

3,500,000,000 - 3.5 billion TV viewers saw the Choir perform in the Salt Lake Olympic opening ceremonies (2002).

11,623 - The Tabernacle organ has 11,623 pipes.

4,162 - By the start of the 2009 Tour, the Choir will broadcast its 4,162nd program of Music and the Spoken Word, setting a new record for continuous broadcasting each Sunday.

2,000 - Over 2,000 stations broadcast Music and the Spoken Word.

1,600 - The Choir travels with about 1,600 pieces of luggage.

360 - 360 members make up the Choir: 91 sopranos, 95 altos, 81 tenors and 93 basses.

175 - The Choir has recorded more than 175 musical compilations.

110 - 65 of the Orchestra at Temple Square’s 110 members will accompany the Choir when it tours this year — the first time a full complement of the Orchestra has traveled on an extended tour.

75 - On average, the Choir performs 75 times per year.

28 - The Choir has visited 28 countries outside the United States.

20 - Choir members serve for a maximumof 20 years (or until age 60).

20 - 20 husband-wife combinations sing in the Choir.

13 - The Choir has performed at 13 World’s Fairs and Expositions.

10 - 10 U.S. presidents have personally heard the Choir sing.

10 - 10 large buses shuttle Choir members between tour venues.

5 - The Choir practices a minimum of 5 hours each week.

5 - The Choir has performed for 5 presidential inaugurals: Lyndon B. Johnson (1965), Richard Nixon (1969), Ronald Reagan (1981), George H.W. Bush (1989) and George W. Bush (2001).

5 - Choir recordings include 5 gold records (sales of 500,000 units).

3 - Music and the Spoken Word has only had 3 program announcers in its 75-year history: Richard L. Evans (1930—1971), J. Spencer Kinard (1972—1990) and Lloyd D. Newell (1990—present).

2 - Choir recordings also include 2 platinum records (sales of 1,000,000 units).

1 - The 1959 recording of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra and guest conductor Eugene Ormandy received a Grammy Award.

1 - The Choir wonan Emmy Award for “Christmas Sampler” (1987), a musical special with Shirley Verrett.

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