J. Spencer Cornwall
Encyclopedia
Joseph Spencer Cornwall (February 23, 1888 – February 26, 1983) was a conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
in the mid-20th century.
Cornwall was born at Mill Creek
, Utah Territory
.
Cornwall was the conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1935 to 1957. Under his leadership the choir made some of its first trips outside of the United States. Probably the most noted of these was when it performed at the dedication of the Swiss Temple.
Cornwall was also a writer. He wrote "The Story of Our Mormon Hymns", as well as a centennial history of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, A Century of Singing published by Deseret Book in 1958.
Among his early music instructors was George Careless
.
As choir director Cornwall tried to raise the level of quality in the choir.
Cornwall composed the music to John Jaques's
hymn "Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning", which is hymn #56 in the 1985 LDS Church hymnal
.
asked Cornwall to accompany a song by Haigh. Haigh performed widely after her marriage to Cornwall and was later a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before and during her husbands time as director of the choir. The Cornwalls had seven children, the youngest of whom is Carol Cornwall Madsen
.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
in the mid-20th century.
Cornwall was born at Mill Creek
Millcreek, Utah
Millcreek is a census-designated place and township in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. In the 2000 census, this area was divided among four CDPs, the westernmost of which was designated Millcreek CDP. The population of this CDP was 30,377 at the 2000 census...
, Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
.
Cornwall was the conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1935 to 1957. Under his leadership the choir made some of its first trips outside of the United States. Probably the most noted of these was when it performed at the dedication of the Swiss Temple.
Cornwall was also a writer. He wrote "The Story of Our Mormon Hymns", as well as a centennial history of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, A Century of Singing published by Deseret Book in 1958.
Among his early music instructors was George Careless
George Careless
George Edward Percy Careless was a prominent Latter-day Saint composer and conductor.Careless was born in London, England. As a child he studied at the Royal Academy in London...
.
As choir director Cornwall tried to raise the level of quality in the choir.
Cornwall composed the music to John Jaques's
John Jaques (Mormon)
John Jaques was a Latter Day Saint hymnwriter and missionary and an Assistant Church Historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....
hymn "Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning", which is hymn #56 in the 1985 LDS Church hymnal
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official hymn book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
.
Personal life
Cornwall married Mary Alice Haigh. Cornwall first met her when her music instructor Hugh W. DougallHugh W. Dougall
Hugh W. Dougall was a Latter-day Saint hymnwriter.Dougall was born in Salt Lake City to William B. Dougall and his wife the former Maria Young. Dougall's mother was a daughter of Brigham Young....
asked Cornwall to accompany a song by Haigh. Haigh performed widely after her marriage to Cornwall and was later a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before and during her husbands time as director of the choir. The Cornwalls had seven children, the youngest of whom is Carol Cornwall Madsen
Carol Cornwall Madsen
Carol Cornwall Madsen is an emeritus professor of history at Brigham Young University where she was a research historian with the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History. She also served as associate director of BYU's Women's Research Institute...
.