Come Thou Fount and Robert Millet

 Maryann Stevens shared this wonderful piece of history with us to include in the Chorale history pages.  A BIG thank you to Maryann for taking the time to share this with us. If anyone else has memories of their time in the choir, please share them with me so I can add them to the growing history of the Chorale!

Here is her memory:

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The last time the Wasatch Chorale performed in the historic Provo Tabernacle we sang, Wilberg’s Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

December 10, 2010 a colossal fire ravaged the Provo Tabernacle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Tabernacle played an important role in the history of the Utah Valley Chorale Society, now known as the Wasatch Chorale.  For many years while Lois Johnson conducted, the Tabernacle was the venue for the Chorale Society’s weekly rehearsals as well as for its performances. Many of its concerts were free and well-attended, especially the Messiah Sing-Along. In the late 1990’s at least one evening the Tabernacle was so full, ushers turned away late arriving concert goers due to fire regulations.

The last time Wasatch Chorale performed in the Tabernacle was in November 2010, just two weeks prior to the tragic fire. The Chorale had been invited to join with Utah Valley University Institute of Religion Choir and a children’s choir for a Thanksgiving program. Each invited choir sang individual selections, followed by a grand finale with the combined choirs performing Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Robert Millet 

I consider Rob one of the unsung heroes of the Utah Valley Choral Society. In the early 2000s our long-time director, Lois Johnson had serious health problems that prevented her from continuing in her position. We had concerts scheduled and no director. The Board of Directors implored and pleaded with Rob to take over as interim director until a suitable replacement could be found. Thankfully he agreed and the Choral Society continued under his interim status.

Rob was a historian and a musician, and a fine choral arranger. He was very interested in mid-nineteenth century American folk music, particularly Mormon folk music. After exhaustive research, Rob arranged six authentic folk tunes and they were published as the Anthems of America Series by Universe Publishers, Sole Selling Agent for Theodore Presser Co. All the numbers were scored for SSAATTBB choirs with impressive, and often energetic accompaniments. Another area of interest was English folk music, especially Christmas music. The Choral Society was gifted the manuscript versions of each of his Anthems of America and many old Christmas selections. 

Another huge undertaking was the composition of a 200-page oratorio for choir, eight soloists and orchestra detailing the history of Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Palmyra, New York, to Ensign Peak in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. 

“Wilford, it is enough. Drive on. This is the Place—A promised land. Sing to the Lord a new song—for all the ends of the Earth shall see the salvation of God.”   Published in 2001 by Jackman Music Corporation, it was performed by the Wasatch Chorale and the Utah Valley Symphony.