2009 Choir tour: 'Let’s go down to the river to pray'

(Read Gerry Avant’s blog as she accompanies the Choir on their 2009 tour.)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA

When the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang “Let’s go down to the river to pray,” they literally went down to the river. And not just any river. This is the famous wide Missouri.

Tabernacle Choir sings for video recording session on bank of Missouri River at Council Bluffs, Iow

Choir members stood on the Iowa side of the river just across from Omaha, Neb., and sang “Down to the River” and “Amazing Grace” while being videotaped for a special program and other features.

The choir boarded buses and left their hotel at 6 a.m. June 24 to drive some 20 minutes to Progressive Park for the videotaping. The singers and crew were relieved that the weather wasn’t as oppressively hot as it had been during a photo shoot at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo., on June 20.

A small gathering of onlookers served as audience at Progressive Park. Among them were the private park’s owners, Jim and Linda Meyer.

A month or so ago they were contacted by Ed Payne of the Church’s Audiovisual Department and asked if the filming could take place there.

Linda Meyer meets members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Sign at entrance to park where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had a videotaping session while in Counci

“We didn’t believe it,” said Mrs. Meyer when asked her reaction to the fact that the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir was coming to the picturesque park that for years has been known as Meyers Landing.

Linda and Jim Meyer own the property by Missouri River at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where the Tabernacl

“We’ve been so excited about this.” As she watched the filming take place, she said, “It’s still unbelievable. I don’t know how to describe it.

“The Mormons have such a history with Council Bluffs. I thought that because of their history they would have chosen the temple at Winter Quarters for their background shots. Of course, the Missouri River also is mentioned a lot in Mormon history.”

Mrs. Meyer said that she couldn’t keep news of the choir’s coming visit to herself. She told neighbors and friends, some of whom showed up before the taping began at 6:30 a.m.

“My mother (Barbara Whistler) had planned to come from Columbus, Ohio, for a visit next week. I called and said, ‘I think you’ll want to come a week early.”

Mack Wilberg and Bryan Murphy at Tabernacle Choir video recording session by Missouri River at Counc

Mrs. Whistler seemed as enthralled with the choir experience as was her daughter.

Mrs. Meyer said was a bit surprised when the choir actually sang. An amplified audio recording of their singing accompanied the choir members’ natural voices so the entire park resounded with music.

Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir arrive for a 6:30 a.m.
videotaping session by the Missouri R

“I thought they were just going to take some pictures,” Mrs. Meyer said.

The private park is a popular attraction in the Council Bluffs area. Groups of hundreds visit it for various events.

Mack Wilberg, music director, conducts Mormon Tabernacle Choir during videotaping by the Missouri Ri

Linda Meyer, standing with her husband Jim, becomes emotional as the Tabernacle Choir sings "God Be

“We’ve had a few thousand people here at a time,” Mrs. Meyer said. Then, waving a hand in the direction of the choir, she said, “But this is THE highlight. There is nothing so moving as this. You just feel it. When you think of what the Mormons had to go through in the old days, and then see this choir here today, it seems like things have come full circle.”

Mrs. Meyer said that her daughter had wanted to come to the park but wasn’t able to arrange to be there. “Going to see and hear the Tabernacle Choir is on the list of things she wants to do before she dies,” Mrs. Meyer said.

“There is nothing to compare to this.”

2009 Choir tour: 'Let’s go down to the river to pray'

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