The new voice of “Music and spoken word” ready to assume its role

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The new producer, lead writer and presenter of The Tabernacle at Temple Square’s “Music and speech“The weekly show is ready to take on this role, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announcement.

Derrick Porter replaces Lloyd Newell, who was the voice of the choir for 34 years.

The church said Newell’s final broadcast would be this Sunday, June 16. Porter is expected to deliver his first message on the June 23 show.

In a press release, Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt said Porter represented “the beginning of a new era in ‘music and speech’.”

“We have projects that will help bring the messages of this beloved program to people around the world in new and exciting ways,” Leavitt said.

Newell and his wife, Karmel, have reportedly been called to serve as mission leaders for the California Los Angeles Mission and will begin their service shortly.

Of his new role at The Tabernacle, Porter said it will be different from any other job he’s been involved with.

“Talking to people in a professional setting is one thing, but sharing spiritual messages requires something more than professional expertise,” he said. “It requires a personal connection with the words spoken and sung.”