Tabernacle Choir Sings on Philippine Senate Floor

Members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sang songs of hope to the Philippine Senate at the special invitation of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the GSIS Building. This is the first time in the history of the Senate that a Choir outside of Asia has performed. The Choir is in the Philippines as part of its world tour of “Hope” which started on February 20 and concludes February 28 with a concert in the Mall of Asia Arena.

In introducing the Choir, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said:

"The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square was organized in 1847 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. As part of the Choir’s World Tour, this visit to the Philippines is the first in its 177-year history. This world-renowned choir consists of 360 vocalists and over 70 orchestra members, who are all volunteers. The universal language of their stunning music transcends cultural and generational boundaries to bring peace, healing, and hope to listeners worldwide. The choir concludes their visit this evening with a second performance at the MOA Arena where they will stream the concert to thousands gathering for watch parties in towns across the Philippines.”

The 24 representative Choir members included Leo Marcelo, who was born and raised in the Philippines as well as global performers Sundae Mae Indino, and Ronald Baa, who traveled to Salt Lake City to perform at the general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in April 2023.  

The Choir sang, “Awake and Arise, All Ye Children of Light,” “Bahay Kubo,” and “God Be with You till We Meet Again" which was streamed live nationally across the Philippines on the Senate's YouTube channel.

The Philippines Senate comprises 24 Senators, three of whom have confirmed to attend the Choir’s concerts in the Philippines: Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos (the eldest sister of the current President) and Bong Revilla.

The current Senate, which will celebrate its 108th founding anniversary in October this year, is composed of a combination of seasoned and younger senators with representation from all Philippine demographics.

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Prior to the Choir singing, President Zubiri held a private meeting with Church leaders including Choir President, Michael O. Leavitt, Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency and Elder George Kenneth Lee, Area Seventy.

"The leaders of our church were able to get acquainted with them, which is important. Having a relationship with government helps, and that's one of the things that will have come from this historic trip by The Tabernacle Choir to the Philippines," said President Leavitt.

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Following the event Leavitt said, "They sang three songs, one of which was in Tagalog and it was received very warmly by the Senators who when they were finished came to greet us and thanked us for being here." 

During their tour, the Choir and Orchestra with their special guest artist Lea Salonga, have performed to thousands of Filipinos in capacity crowds at the University of Santo Tomas as well as the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is bound together by their faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to music-making at the highest level.