2023
International Singers Join with Tabernacle Choir for Conference
May 2023

International Singers Join with Tabernacle Choir for Conference

For the first time, participants living outside the United States joined the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during general conference.

The choir has recently broadened its mission to reach a global audience, said choir president Michael O. Leavitt, who describes the pilot program as a natural progression in the choir’s growth. “We’re going about it in the only way we know how, which is one step at a time—learning, improving, and asking the Lord for more guidance,” he said. “With each step, it now becomes clearer that this can happen.”

Because of the choir’s rigorous practice schedule, choir members have been required to live within 100 miles (160 km) of the historic Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. However, Brother Leavitt said the pilot program opens the door for others with exceptional musical abilities to also engage on a temporary basis.

Along with their vocal ability, the international participants were required to demonstrate proficiency in music theory and English during the selection process.

Those selected to sing with the choir came from six countries:

  • Alvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil, baritone

  • Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil, baritone

  • Thalita De Carvalho of Sao Paulo, Brazil, second soprano

  • Tubo-Oreriba Joseph Elisha of Accra, Ghana, tenor

  • Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, second tenor

  • Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico, second soprano

  • Georgina Montemayor Wong of Monterrey, Mexico, second soprano

  • Ronald Baa of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, tenor

  • Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, first soprano

  • Pei-Shan Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan, first alto

The international participants joined in choir rehearsals, attended choir school, visited several Church historical sites, and toured the Church’s Welfare Square, Temple Square, and Bishops’ Central Storehouse.

At the conclusion of general conference, the Utah-based choir members sang “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” to the visiting participants as a final farewell.

Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé expressed his love and gratitude for the global participants. “I hope when you return to your country, you will testify of this experience and you will raise a new generation of singers everywhere—all over the world,” he said.

The two-week experience helped the participants feel a greater sense of connection and unity with the Church community. “We spent a lot of time with the Church music department. While meeting them, I truly felt that the Church leaders hope Latter-day Saints all around the world can have a deeper spiritual experience through music,” Pei-Shan Chung said.