Sept. 30, 1999
For 25 years, Jerold Ottley has directed and guided the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to worldwide recognition.
This weekend, he will conduct the choir for the last time during General Conference,
because he is retiring.
Religion Specialist, Carole Mikita, looks back on Ottley's accomplishments.
Jerold Ottley has lowered his baton for this powerful 325- voice choir in many of parts of the world in some of the finest concert halls. His experiences have been rich, have been glorious.
But not so the first time. It was the mid '60's and he and wife, JoAnn, were singers in the choir. He was filling in during a rehearsal.
Jerold Ottley/Director, Mormon Tabernacle Choir: "AS I STOOD ON THAT PODIUM, I THOUGHT,'THIS IS NOT FOR ME, EVER, I DON'T WANT THIS... TOO MUCH RESPONSIBLITY...'
In 1975, he accepted the job as director.
Ottley wanted to communicate with people. He wanted to open their ears, but their minds and hearts, as well.
Nowhere did it happen more noticeably than in 1992 in Jerusalem, when people attended the concert reluctantly-- one man in particular.
Ottley: "BEFORE THE CONCERT WAS OVER... WAS STANDING, SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS VOICE, WITH HIS HANDS ABOVE HIS HEAD AND THOROUGHLY ENTRANCED BY WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE."
Behind the Iron Curtain he also saw lives change.
Ottley: "AS WE REACHED OUT FROM OUR HEARTS TO THEIRS AND TOUCHED THEM SPIRITUALLY, IS WHEN THE FIREWORDS BEGAN."
Now, as he prepares for his final conference weekend, there won't be fireworks but a quiet, dignified farewell. The choir looks at him with gratitude and love, and church leaders sing his praises. And Jerold Ottley knows he has created the kind of communication that unites an entire world.
