Mormon culture embraces music as a powerful means to draw closer to God and inspire others, with popular Mormon musicians like Lindsey Stirling, The Piano Guys and BYU Vocal Point making waves in the industry. Latter-day Saint composers have long expressed their religious convictions through music. From writing music for church institutions and answering commissions to producing works that convey religious messages or draw upon scriptural or church historical narratives, composers from this denomination have put their faith front and center. Brandon Flowers Brandon Flowers of The Killers has become the latest Mormon musician to find success as an artist. His new album, Imploding the Mirage, references various aspects of…

Latter-day Saints take music very seriously. Church members use sacred songs to invoke the Spirit and impart doctrine. Jeremy Grimshaw shows that early Mormon composers embraced an eclectic musical sensibility with dramatic chromaticism and exoticist modality; as well as exploring La Monte Young’s development of an explicitly Mormon musical mysticism. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is one of America’s premier choral ensembles, boasting 360 members selected through rigorous auditions and an intensive 16-week training program. Their performances can be heard every Sunday on radio and TV broadcast “Music and the Spoken Word”, Temple Square concerts in Salt Lake City during Christmastime, and various albums released over time.…

Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and His plan for humankind’s eternal salvation. It tells of Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem some 600 b.c. in search of sacred records that bear His mark. It tells of Abinadi’s courage against an oppressive ruler and of Nephi’s unwavering faith. Why Was It Written? Mormons hold that the Book of Mormon provides confirmation of information found in the Bible. This text tells of ancient prophets from North and South America who kept extensive records that were then hidden by Moroni as part of his plan for keeping peace on Earth. There are multiple issues with this claim.…

Mormons believe in an unfolding plan created by God for each and every one of His children and are guided by modern prophets. Mormon couples marrying in temples make a vow of eternal commitment, which may help explain why Mormons have such low divorce rates. Their traditions help keep families focused on what matters most. Family Prayer There’s an old saying, “the family that prays together stays together.” Mormon families take this to heart by holding family prayer services and scripture study regularly as well as encouraging each member of their household to pray and study on their own. Mormons believe in an eternal family, which makes them very family-oriented.…

Students participating in this workshop explore how European musical traditions influenced early America and how American music inspired European composers. One look at orchestral premieres since 2000 will reveal an abundance of pieces by European composers, an increase that can be traced to powerful European influencers with American orchestras. AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD American musicians draw upon influences from European cultures for inspiration when creating music of any style: blues and jazz, folk traditions, rock music, pop or country genres are all integral parts of the American musical experience. This collection comprises works by major nineteenth-century composers in orchestral, chamber music, piano, and song genres; most were written in Europe. While…

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints musicians come from diverse backgrounds, musical styles and tastes; yet many have found success in the music industry, including making Billboard’s classical charts. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has become an internationally acclaimed cultural ambassador, performing at multiple presidential inaugurals and touring throughout Eastern and Slavic Europe. But what about other forms of Mormon artistic expression? Hymns Hymns play an essential part of Mormon music. Used to bring reverence and the spirit into meetings, hymns can be just as impactful as scripture in raising spirits and stirring action. The Church has amassed an extensive library of hymns that spans over 1000 years, from simple…

Since the sixteenth century, European art precedents have had an immense influence on American art. This selection of essays examines how this has affected relations among artists who sought refuge from discrimination by traveling to Europe while engaging with canonical sources in Europe. As World War II raged on, fourteen painters left Europe for America as political refugees. When engaged with European art they offered both full-throated support as well as subtler interpretations. John Trumbull John Trumbull’s paintings grace the walls of numerous American museums, while his portrait of Alexander Hamilton found on the ten-dollar bill has been studied by generations of children. While Trumbull may be most widely recognized…