The Bells on Temple Square
 ver since the arrival of the pioneer settlers
in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, music has rung
out from Temple Square in praise of God, lifting
the spirits of listeners around the world. In
March 2005 a new sound was added to that musical
tradition with the creation of Bells on Temple
Square, organized under the auspices of the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
For many years, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had
used borrowed handbells to enhance certain
concert performances. Later, an anonymous
donation made possible the purchase of a
handbell set for the Choir. The 7-octave set of
English handbells, a 6 ˝-octave set of
handbells, and two 6-octave sets of hand chimes,
made it possible for a new musical organization
to join the others on Temple Square.
When the formation of a bell choir was announced
in February 2005, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
office received over 200 applications. After an
initial test to determine the applicants’
musical knowledge, 90 musicians were invited
back to demonstrate their abilities by ringing
the bells, and of these, 28 were selected to be
the charter members of Bells on Temple Square.
Like the members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,
Orchestra at Temple Square, and Temple Square
Chorale, the members of Bells on Temple Square
are all volunteers.
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Thomas M.
Waldron, Conductor
Thomas M. Waldron, conductor of Bells on Temple
Square, recently retired after many years of
service as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir. He earned a bachelor of music education
degree at Utah State University and a master of
music degree in conducting performance at
Brigham Young University. For many years he was
director of music at Brighton High School where
he organized and conducted a renowned bell
choir. He and his wife, Diane, have 7 children
and 24 grandchildren. They reside in the Salt
Lake City area.
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Leanna Willmore, Assistant Conductor
LeAnna Willmore has taught choir in the Utah
area for thirty-six years. She earned a
bachelor of science degree from Weber State
University and a master of music degree from the
University of Utah. She is currently director
of choral activities and department chair at
Riverton High School. Having won many national
and state awards as a music educator, she is a
frequent guest conductor and adjudicator. Her
husband, Ken Willmore, is a structural engineer
with WSA and Associates in Bountiful, Utah.
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