1pm: “Influence of the Tabernacle Choir Around the World”

Ronald C. Gunnell – Tabernacle Choir Envoy

Ron joined the Tabernacle Choir as a singer in 1996. In 2000 he was called as Executive Producer For Global Talent and Assistant to the President of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He is responsible for securing world-renowned musical guest artists and celebrities who perform with the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. In 2021 he was called to be Global Envoy for the Choir Presidency. In this assignment he assists the global outreach and positive influence of the Choir around the world by promoting music as the universal language of peace and love. In addition to his heavy involvement with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Ron has provided services to many Fortune 100 companies and Educational and Arts Boards.

2pm:  “Our Tabernacle Choir Experience Over Many Years”

Doug & Jill Furness – Husband/Wife: Former Tabernacle Choir Members

Jill Furness recently retired as a Registered Nurse from Intermountain Health Care.  She sang with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square from 2010-2022, then served as a nurse for the organization for one more year. Jill served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Virginia Charleston Mission.

Doug Furness recently retired as a Senior Global Recruiter on the Talent Selection team for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doug's dedication to service is evident in his long-standing involvement with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He sang until April 2019, completing eighteen wonderful years with the Choir. After being released as a singer, Doug continued to serve in other non-singing capacities for the organization for four more years. Doug served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Chile Osorno Mission.

3pm:  “My and my Mother’s Experiences as LDS Songwriters”

Lynne Perry Christofferson – LDS Composer, Songwriter

Lynne Perry Christofferson is the daughter of Janice Kapp Perry, a well-known LDS composer, songwriter and contributor to LDS songbooks.

Lynne served a mission in Washington, D.C., and received her education at Brigham Young University. Lynne and her husband Brad have raised five children and have seven grandchildren, so far. Her compositions and arrangements have received awards on local, Church, and national levels. Free sheet music downloads of her inspirational songs and hymn arrangements can be found on her website: christoffersonmusic.com. She is the author of the book “Sisters, Arise!” and writes monthly articles for Meridian Magazine.

4pm: “Our Experiences Working Together as an LDS Songwriter and Lyricist”

 Vanja Y. Watkins – Composer of LDS Hymns

Vanja is a music educator by profession and has taught in the Ogden and Salt Lake City schools as well as at Brigham Young University.  She is the wife of the late Dr. Jack B. Watkins, and has 5 children and 14 grandchildren.

Vanja composed the music for "Press Forward Saints" and "Families Can Be Together Forever", hymns that appear in the official 1985 hymnal of the LDS Church. She also wrote the music to a number of songs in the Primary Children’s Songbook, including the Articles of Faith songs. She collaborated with Marvin Gardner, lyricist, in composing these and other LDS songs.

Marvin K. Gardner – Lyricist of LDS Hymns

An LDS lyricist, Marvin K. Gardner has collaborated with Vanja Y. Watkins to write many hymns and songs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as “Press Forward, Saints” and “This Is My Beloved Son.” For nearly 28 years (1978–2005), he served as an editor, writer, and administrator at the LDS Church magazines; during those years, he served as managing editor of the Liahona and as assistant managing editor of the Ensign and Liahona. For 12 more years (2005–2017), he was a professor of editing, writing, and publishing at Brigham Young University.

He has been a member of the General Music Committee and of the 1985 Hymnbook Executive Committee, serving as the text editor of the 1985 hymnal. He currently serves as a member of the Text Editing Committee for the new hymnbook, Hymns—For Home and Church. He and his wife, Mary, fulfilled a full-time mission together in the Central America Area, serving as the Area Digital Communications Specialists. They have six children and 16 grandchildren.

6:15pm at SUP National Headquarters - Dinner Meeting & Keynote Speaker

“Early and Forgotten Hymns That Shaped the Restoration”

John Bringhurst – Researcher/Historian of LDS Hymns

John Bringhurst is a physician by profession. He studied musical composition for a time at UC Davis. He has researched early Restoration hymns and hymn tunes and was a presenter for 5 years at BYU Education Week on this topic. He also participated in the translation of the Church hymnal in the Q'eqchi' Mayan language.

This will be a virtual event. Zoom link with be forthcoming to those invited.

This will be a virtual event. Zoom link with be forthcoming to those invited.