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The music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is responsible for musical and creative supervision of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Temple Square Chorale, and the Bells on Temple Square, which are all official musical organizations within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
John Parry one of a group of 85 Welch converts that immigrated in 1849, John Parry was invited by Brigham Young to organize a choir for the church's next general conference.
Directors
John Parry 1849–54 Converted Welsh Baptist priest; organized the choir at the request of Brigham Young.
Stephen Goddard 1854–56
James Smithies 1856–62
Charles John Thomas 1862–65 First director to lead the choir in the current Salt Lake Tabernacle building in regular performances
Robert Sands 1865–69 Directed the choir for the first performance in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, 1867.
George Careless 1869–80 Had previously directed the Salt Lake Theatre Orchestra.
Ebenezer Beesley 1880–89 Composed 11 hymns, which are still included in the current LDS hymnal
Evan Stephens 1890–1916 Directed the choir for its first recording, and was the first employed full-time.
Anthony C. Lund 1916–35 Directed the choir for its first national performance of Music and the Spoken Word on July 15, 1929.
J. Spencer Cornwall 1935–57 Directed the choir in the film This is Cinerama, and for its first performance abroad in 1955.
Richard P. Condie 1957–74 1959 Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
Jay E. Welch 1974 Served from July to December before retiring for personal reasons
Jerold Ottley 1974–99 Directed the choir for numerous commercial recordings, including one with The United States Air Force Band that required special legislation in Congress to permit the Band to be published.
Craig Jessop 1999–2008 Along with the choir, was a 2003 recipient of the National Medal of Arts
Mack Wilberg 2008–present (2014) A published composer who directed choirs at Brigham Young University.