From within the Shadow
This chapter discusses the activities of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir under Spencer Cornwall's conductorship. Cornwall began his tenure by refashioning the Choir's sound. He summoned each Choir member to his office at the McCune School of Music for them to reaudition. By the end of the auditions, Cornwall had cut the membership rolls by 187 from the levels at Anthony Lund's death. Cornwall brought not only new standards but a new set of ideals, attitudes, and rehearsal techniques. In the Choir's tone and delivery, Cornwall seemed to care most about dynamics, straight tone, and enunciation. As for the pacing and mood of rehearsals, Cornwall's public-school career guided his style. This chapter first considers the Choir's conflict with the Utah Symphony and University of Utah choirs before describing its radio and television broadcasts, repertoire, recordings, concerts, and international tours with Cornwall at the helm.