Orchestra at Temple Square

The Orchestra at Temple Square, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded in 1999 as a companion ensemble to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The orchestra appears in weekly Tabernacle Choir television broadcasts, on Choir recordings, and in televised Christmas specials. As of 2017, it had appeared on 36 Mormon Tabernacle Choir recordings, including a 2016 reading of Handel's Messiah. At that date, the orchestra's music director was Mack Wilberg, also music director of the Tabernacle Choir, Temple Square Chorale, and Bells on Temple Square. The Orchestra at Temple Square also performs concerts of symphonic and concerto repertory unconnected with Mormon liturgical functions, an activity instituted in 2003 by former music director Igor Gruppman. The Orchestra at Temple Square had paid musicians at its founding, but it has evolved into an all-volunteer organization, with members donating their time and effort as a form of contribution to the Mormon Church. Part of the group's reason for being is to allow instrumental musicians the same opportunity to donate their talents as singers have in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. About 85 musicians participate in weekly broadcasts, but the orchestra can expand to a roster of 200 as circumstances require. ~ James Manheim, Rovi