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 ½-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.

LeAnna Willmore, Conductor

LeAnna Willmore was named conductor of the Bells on Temple Square in June 2011 after serving as the associate conductor since the formation of the group in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Utah. Mrs. Willmore has taught choir in the Utah area for nearly 40 years and has served in many state and national leadership positions. She is currently the National Chair of the Choral Education council for NAfME. 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.

Larry Smith, Associate Conductor

Larry Smith was named associate conductor of the Bells on Temple Square in summer 2011. He has performed, accompanied, and conducted choirs throughout the world. As a member of the Utah Ambassadors of Music staff, he conducted and accompanied music in London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and at St. Mark’s in Venice, Italy. Mr. Smith has taught choral music in high schools for over 16 years, and currently works as the choir director at Bountiful High School. He conducts seven choirs consisting of over 400 students. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from the University of Utah and spent a semester studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He and his wife, Leslie, have three children.