Orchestra at Temple Square
| Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in the LDS Conference Center | |
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| Orchestra | |
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| Founded | 1999 |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| Concert hall | Salt Lake Tabernacle, Temple Square |
| Principal conductor | Igor Gruppman |
| Website | http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/ |
The Orchestra at Temple Square is a 110-member orchestra located in Salt Lake City, UT. The Orchestra was created in 1999 under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley, then the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon), as part of an initiative to continually strengthen and expand the capabilities of the church's music organizations.
Formed in 1999, the Orchestra fulfilled LDS Church leaders' longtime dream of having a permanent orchestra both to enhance the quality of Mormon Tabernacle Choir performances and to involve instrumental musicians in church music projects on the same volunteer basis as Tabernacle Choir members. While some initial recording contracts in the first years of the Orchestra's existence were paid, with the creation of the Tabernacle Choir's own recording label the 110-member Orchestra has evolved into a purely volunteer organization. Although many Orchestra members are professional musicians, in order to participate they are required to give their time and talents to the Orchestra without financial compensation.
Like the Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra makes its home in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. During structural renovations to the Tabernacle, the Orchestra rehearsed and performed in the adjacent LDS Conference Center, as did the Choir.
The Orchestra was initially directed by former Tabernacle Choir associate director (and current Creative Director of Utah Chamber Artists) Barlow Bradford. Under his direction the group developed into a critically acclaimed symphony orchestra. Bradford unexpectedly resigned shortly after the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Orchestra continued under the musical supervision of Tabernacle Choir director Craig Jessop, until his abrupt resignation on March 4, 2008. Under his direction the Orchestra increased its role as accompanist to the Tabernacle Choir and Temple Square Chorale, but continued to perform on its own under the baton of Igor Gruppman, concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
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