J. Spencer Cornwall Conducts The Mormon Tabernacle Choir At 91 Years Old, "Come, Come, Ye Saints"

Conducting his famous arrangement of "Come, Come Ye Saints" at the choir's 50th Radio Broadcast Anniversay Reunion in 1979, J. Spencer was a beloved conductor of the choir for 22 years, from 1935-1957.

[@jscorn]

That's my grandpa!

[@britainluver431]

Jon Cornwall My Great Grandfather, (my mother's father's father) was actually born 3 days after J. Spencer.

[@snookumsjack]

Jon Cornwall You should be so proud of him!

[@hennyklannsouf1855]

That's great Gpa... My grandma Bonnie Henderson (Cornwall) is his daughter.. She passed away this year at 100 years old..

[@carolynbosil1344]

What an angel and such a beautiful rendition of this song; done soulfully and never rushed. He's probably getting some great arrangement ready for the return of our Savior.

[@waynevaughan7159]

A beautiful courageous song of courageous people!

[@HeyOpenUp]

Thank You Happy Pioneer Day 🌞🎶🙏🎶❤️

[@leezurligen227]

I really miss this old arrangement. I joined the Choir 10 years later, just in time for the 60th anniversary of the broadcast, and we sang this regularly. Those were the days.

[@caroldrummond5780]

So happy I found this on Pioneer Day - what a treat!

[@janesmith9024]

Thank you for that from 1979 and so lovely they had the conductor back at age 91.

[@chauntellepopp346]

My grandfather was Chauncey Cornwall, a relative of J Spencer Cornwall. Thank you for posting this!

[@IsraelSanchezPiano]

Tears are flowing from my eyes. Years ago my grandmother had a very used and broken tape with this arrangement. That tape has been a treasure for me. This year the stake choir will sing it for the conference. Hope to do it right due to the fact that we'll only have one rehearsal and that's it. Thank you so so much for this treasure.

[@matiascattebeke1763]

Maravilloso...gracias por compartir!

[@04yohill]

Hey this is neat! He is my great grandfather! I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him, since he died before I was born. I love love this!

[@revamped79]

My great-grandfather too! What a legacy.

[@jscorn]

You're welcome! Good luck with your performance.

[@echaffey]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I've always loved this setting of it and a few years ago when I had a chance to sing this in the Tabernacle for a Pioneer day celebration it was a truly sacred experience. After kind of a tough day coming across this video was a great blessing. Thanks again for sharing this.

[@snookumsjack]

The singers put so much more strength & spirit into the song.(In my opinion)more inspirational than the choir now. Thanks for posting!!

[@gilameri4207]

true indeed

[@benalder6781]

Love the retro video of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Especially J. Spencer Cornwall his arrangement of "Come, Come, Ye Saints. " Who was on the organ. I wanted to say it was Robert Cundick. But I wasn't for sure.

[@kenphillips6429]

It was Roy M. Darley

[@mikeday6742]

I think that you should be proud of your grandpa who concocted the Mormon tabernacle choir

[@gilameri4207]

No offense, but this is the best arrangement ever. Might not be technically perfect, yet the sublime interpretation was spiritually glorious and uplifting. You could feel those pioneers singing along the hymn with them.

[@pennychrisman3294]

Love the OLD arrangements best🥰🥰. It seems now, that every hymn is made into an anthem. Dont care for it.

[@jscorn]

Yup, that's Wilberg's style - big finishes!

[@trenomanis]

Πολύ καλό! Εύγε!

[@paulbrennan5646]

Wonderful to discover. I wish they would do more of the shows. Can anyone tell me who was the organist? Thanks.

[@trogerson65]

It was Roy Darley

[@paulbrennan5646]

@@trogerson65 Thank you very much sir. Do you know where to find more broadcast like this with Spencer Kinard. I think this man should be re-instated with back pay! I sure do miss. I do not like Lloyd Newell his voice does not have a distinct sound. I heard he was a Democrat! Greetings from Canada.

[@Knappa22]

How bland the MTC sound now compared to this. I love them still but here they sound so passionate, especially the sopranos who sound almost operatic.

[@gilameri4207]

so true.... and I also miss the trademark soprano "full and glorious" sound. They now sound like a chamber choir.

[@kryzpygnwg7706]

Now the #tabernaclechoir bass and tenor is weak and their soprano sounds like youth. Others like it, but it sounds so amateur. Many say that the choir sings clearly now and better, but I could say...of course because of the quality of the technology now (on recording). Besides, they always repeat the song or repertoire (arranged by M. Wilbrerg)........... oh golly! can they please please please sing more other anthem, sacred classicals, etc. than being confined with M Wilberg's arrangement.

[@Knappa22]

@@gilameri4207 You are exactly right. It’s far too lightweight, like a state youth chorus or something. They need to rediscover their grandeur.

[@yvonnefernandez3501]

What year was this?

[@jscorn]

1979

[@breezycovergirl]

Who introduced him.

[@jscorn]

Spencer Kinard@@breezycovergirl