A Century-Old Legacy Continues: Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra Brings Hope to California in Benefit Concerts

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square first performed in the Hollywood Bowl in July 1926, an event that garnered significant attention at the time, with news reports noting the arrival of “three special trains” transporting the singers to Los Angeles, California.

Nearly a century later, the choir and orchestra arrived in California on Monday, June 22, marking the beginning of their “Songs of Hope” benefit concerts in the iconic Hollywood Bowl. The choir and orchestra members were met by buses on the airport tarmac, which transported them to the venue where they were to rehearse for the upcoming concerts. The rehearsals took place on the John Williams Stage, known for its unique nested arches.

The “Songs of Hope” benefit concerts, set to take place on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, are a highlight of the choir's 2026 tour, which has already included performances in Mexico, the Philippines, and the southeastern United States. According to choir President Michael O. Leavitt, this concert series is unique in that it includes the entire United States, excluding Utah. The event is expected to be the largest of the world tour.

As the choir prepares to take the stage in the Hollywood Bowl, President Lloyd Newell and his wife, Sister Karmel Newell, who are serving as leaders of the California Los Angeles Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressed their excitement about the concerts. President Newell, who previously served as the voice of the Tabernacle Choir's weekly “Music & the Spoken Word” for 35 years and accompanied the choir on tour, including stops in California, noted the iconic nature of both the choir and the venue.

“It's an iconic choir in an iconic place or venue,” President Newell said. “We fully anticipate — and we are confident — that this will be a great boost to the area and the people here will experience, because we've seen it firsthand, we know what the choir does when it comes to an area.”

Sister Newell, who was the choir's director of member support for two years before their mission call, shared her experiences of sitting in the audience and seeing people feel the Spirit. “They feel the Spirit and their hearts are softened,” she said. “It's just such a powerful moment for heaven and earth to connect.”

The Hollywood Bowl concerts are part of the choir's ongoing “Songs of Hope” world tour, which aims to bring music and hope to communities worldwide. The event is a collaboration with the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music Trust, which has supported the choir's concerts since 1983. The concert series was initially designed to promote unity in the community and has since become a platform for charitable giving, with the 2026 tour benefitting trusted charities such as CARE, Helen Keller Intl, and The Hunger Project.

As the choir and orchestra take the stage, they will be joined by guest artists, and the concerts will be preceded by watch parties across the United States, including many on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27. The event offers an opportunity for people to unite in music and charity, reflecting the choir's mission statement: “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performs music that inspires people throughout the world to draw closer to the divine and feel God's love for His children.”

The choir and orchestra have performed in numerous benefit concerts over the years, raising money for various causes, including children's health initiatives and disability support. According to choir archivists, the 1940s saw two concerts to combat polio and another to benefit the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. In 1981, the choir performed in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of the “Week of Music of the America” charity music festival, supporting research programs for underprivileged children.

The Tabernacle Choir first performed in the Hollywood Bowl a century ago, on July 28, 1926, to an estimated 17,000 to 18,000 people. The choir returned to the venue on Aug. 20, 1941, and again on May 23, 1963. As the choir prepares to perform in the same venue, Sister Newell noted the significance of their return. “It's just really exciting to be on the other side and be able to confidently say to people and invite them and assure them that ‘You are going to have a very inspirational experience,’” she said.

Looking ahead to the future, President Leavitt commented on the choir's ongoing world tour and their preparations for events in 2027 and 2028. The choir and orchestra will participate in Salt Lake Temple celebration and open house events in 2027, following which they plan to continue touring. The mission statement emphasizes the choir's commitment to inspiring people worldwide, reflecting their ongoing efforts to promote unity and hope through music.