O.C.Tanner Gift of Music 2019

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the O.C.Tanner Gift of Music concert featuring the Tabernacle Choir, the Utah Symphony, and special guests Brian Stokes Mitchell and Megan Hilty.  This year the concert was in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike that united the Transcontinental Railroad from east to west so it featured a patriotic program that was very stirring and uplifting.  I have been looking forward to this concert for weeks because of Brian Stokes Mitchell.  I was first introduced to him when he performed with the Utah Symphony several years ago as part of a Bravo Broadway concert.  He performed the best version of "Stars" from Les Miserables that I have ever heard and I have been a huge fan ever since!  Last night he performed a rendition of "Shenandoah" that was simply stunning.  He also performed "On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe" from The Harvey Girls and "The Flag Song" from Assassins.  He was joined by Megan Hilty for "So in Love" from Kiss Me, Kate, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" from Shall We Dance, and a lovely song called "Thankful" by Carol Bayer Sager, David Foster, and Richard Page.  Hilty performed a delightful medley from Annie Get Your Gun.  The Utah Symphony played a medley of American classics called "American Salute" by Morton Gould and a beautiful rendition of "John Henry" by Aaron Copeland.  The Tabernacle Choir sang "America the Beautiful," "Bound for the Promised Land," and "America, the Dream Goes On" by John Williams.  The choir was as spectacular as always and they gave me goosebumps multiple times!  The concert concluded with "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime performed by Mitchell (he was Coalhouse Walker, Jr. on Broadway), Hilty, the Utah Symphony, and the Tabernacle Choir. It was incredibly powerful and brought a tear to my eyes!  I enjoyed this concert so much!  There were even fireworks out on the Plaza afterwards!

Note:  The O.C.Tanner Gift of Music was created and endowed by Obert C. Tanner and Gordon B. Hinckley as a way to share the music of the Utah Symphony and the Tabernacle Choir with the community.  I have been lucky enough to attend several of these concerts, including the 3oth Anniversary Gala with James Taylor and the Mahler Symphony No. 8 several years ago.