Cover image via Gospel Media Library. 

This summer, one of America’s most enduring broadcasts will make history—again. On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Music & the Spoken Word will air its 5,000th uninterrupted weekly broadcast, solidifying its place as the longest-running continuous weekly network broadcast in the world. To mark the occasion, Derrick Porter, executive producer and announcer, is inviting viewers to submit personal stories and reflections to help shape that week’s message.

Send your experiences to: 50**@******ir.org
Your submission could help inspire the “Spoken Word” segment or be featured during the global broadcast.

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A Legacy of Harmony and Hope Since 1929

Music & the Spoken Word has aired every week since July 15, 1929—including during the Great Depression, World War II, the assassination of JFK, and the September 11 attacks—offering peace and inspiration in the face of global upheaval. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the broadcast remained uninterrupted.

Today, it reaches millions in more than 50 countries through TV, radio, and digital platforms, including YouTube and social media, with content available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

“We want this broadcast to reflect the people who’ve made it possible,” Porter said. “Their stories are the reason we sing.”

The Choir’s Storied History

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, traces its roots to 1847, just weeks after Latter-day Saint pioneers arrived in Utah. The Salt Lake Tabernacle, its long-time home, was completed in 1867, and by 1873, the choir gave its first public concert there.

Notable moments in its legacy include:

  • Its first radio broadcast on July 15, 1929, with a single microphone strung from the ceiling.
  • Singing at the funerals of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945) and John F. Kennedy (1963).
  • Performing at the American Bicentennial in 1976 and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
  • Appearances at six U.S. presidential inaugurations, including Ronald Reagan, who dubbed it “America’s Choir.”

The choir has also earned a Grammy Award for its rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and maintains a global audience, with hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and other platforms.

How to Watch and Participate

Music & the Spoken Word airs Sundays at 9:30 a.m. MDT on over 2,000 broadcast stations. You can stream it live or on-demand on the Tabernacle Choir YouTube channel.

For viewing details by region, visit: musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedules

Your Voice Matters

The 5,000th broadcast is not just a celebration of longevity—it’s a moment to reflect on the quiet power of music and faith across generations. 

Make YOUR voice part of this historic moment.

Email your story to 50**@******ir.org
Help compose the next chapter of this remarkable American legacy!