June 20th will go down as a historic return to St. Louis, Missouri for  Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It’s been 51 years since the 300 voice choir performed here.

The choir’s day started early in the morning, 6 a.m. sharp with a photo shoot at the Gateway Arch for a documentary film – learn more, click here.

True confession here, while I am very proud of our church’s premiere choir, I am not a groupie of the choir. I am appreciative and humbled by the way the choir brings the Christ’s spirit to our world-wide church conferences. But I don’t follow their weekly broadcasts. 

Many at the St. Louis concert, however, were groupies who have listened to the choir for years. I was tickled by their enthusiasm.  

James Dobbs, an older gentleman who was ushering at the venue, grabbed my arm to stop me and share his delight, “they sang one of my favorite songs!” Dobbs beamed. 

Dobbs explained that he has retired from his ushering duties but came back just for this concert. “I have been listening to them since I was 13 years old. I was not going to miss this.” Now gray-haired, he was likely only a very young boy when the choir last performed here.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir had something for everyone last night, even me, a non-groupie. It was the feet-tapping and deeply soulful numbers I most enjoyed.

A Nigerian carol — Betelehemu —  took me to that country in my mind and spirit. I have to say, it was a little odd looking at this mostly white choir singing that song. But I closed my eyes and was convinced that the performance had integrity. 

Every song, in fact, was honest, artful and precise.

The two hour concert was over too fast. I was left smiling and wanting more.

I was not the only one left smiling. Strangers passed strangers as they left the concert just beaming, if not in their face, in their hearts. The joy was palpable.

Ernest Smoot had the biggest smile! 

(in photo*, left to right, daughter Linda Cozart, wife Janis, Ernest, daughter Dr. Diane Smoot)

And so he should. His wife of 25 years and two of his daughters brought him to the concert as their Father’s Day gift.

We won’t argue, Ernest, a father of TEN, deserved it!

Ernest’s interest in the choir began as an assignment by his Sumner High School choir director, Wirt Walton, who insisted his choir members would gain much by listening to the Tabernacle Choir on the radio.

That tradition stuck with Ernest and he passed it on to his children.

“He raised us on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!” his daughters giggled and shouted in unison.

Ernest’s love of music played out in his family. For many years his family would perform the musical numbers for Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Program.

What joy is found in music, tradition and family.

Thank you, Mormon Tabernacle Choir…for the smiles

*Ernest Smoot and his family gave permission to use the photo.

Additional links: Mormon Tabernacle Choir coming to St. Louis