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By
Robb Cundick
Winston
Churchill said, "There is no doubt that it is around the family
and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating
virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained."
The
support and strength of a close family can lift and inspire its
members to accomplish things they might never have attempted were
it not for the examples they see around them. Indeed, some families
nurture a common interest that continues for generations. So it
was that in 2004, when Sarah Clayton joined the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir, she became the first of a new generation — a sixth
generation — to carry forth a remarkable family legacy of singing
in the Choir.
Sarah’s
mother, Susan Hillier Clayton ("Susie"), was already a
member, so mother and daughter could share the delight of singing
in this world-renowned organization. But that’s only the beginning.
Sarah's grandmother, Helen Russell Hillier, and great grandfather,
Valoran Russell, were members. So were
great-great grandmother Hedvig “Hattie”
Aurora Lundgren Dahl and great-great-great grandmother, Alma Elizabeth
“Lizzie” Mineer Felt, who joined the Choir
in 1883.
But Sarah and Susie’s heritage in the Choir includes extended family
as well:
- Susie’s
sister, Jane Hillier Clark, is a charter member of the Orchestra
at Temple Square.
- Jane’s
husband, Elliott, sings in the Choir.
- Elliott’s
brother, Shane, was a member and sister Kim Clark Cheshire still
is.
- The
Clark siblings’ parents, Owen and Helen Elliott Clark, sang in
the Choir.
- Three
great-great grandparents of the Clarks, David James and Maggie
Weihe Ross, and LDS Church Apostle Parley
P. Pratt, were members.
- Maggie's
brother, Willard Weihe, was violin soloist
on a Choir tour.
Apostle
Pratt joined the Choir in 1852. He completes the circle between
the Clark and Clayton families since he is also related to Sarah
and Susie — being a third great uncle to the latter.
But
there are yet more:
·
Susie’s second cousin,
Carolyn Rudd Rogers, sang in the Choir.
·
Grandmother Helen Hillier
was joined by a brother, Jay Martin Russell (and wife Carolyn) as
well as five cousins: Russell Trent Osguthorpe (and wife Lolly), Sharon
Osguthorpe Konkurat,
Carlene Osguthorpe Platt, Lavon Woods
Rudd, and Evelyn Russell Evans (along with husband T. Max).
·
Great grandfather Valoran
Russell had two siblings in the Choir: Frank Calvin Russell and
Iva LaRue Russell
Osguthorpe.
·
Valoran’s
uncle, Eli Harvey Pierce, a nephew of President Brigham Young, was
also a member.
·
Great-great grandmother
Dahl was joined by a brother, Oscar Martin Lundgren.
Anybody
else? Oh, yes! Orson Pratt,
Jr. served as Assistant Tabernacle Organist for a time. He would
be a third great uncle to Sarah.
It
is interesting to note that Valoran Russell,
as a missionary in California, was a companion to former Tabernacle
Organist Alexander Schreiner. They remained dear friends all their
lives. Elder Russell often acted as chauffeur for visits by LDS
Church President Heber J. Grant, who would get into the car and
say, “Elder, let’s sing!” Iva Osguthorpe
had in important influence upon former Choir Director Jerold Ottley;
she persuaded him to pursue vocal music studies and encouraged him
to conduct.
So
there you have it — a total of 31 musicians who have served in the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir and related organizations. One would be
hard pressed to find a more fitting example of the influence a family
can have upon its members — not only mom, dad and children — but
multiple generations. Sarah, Susie and their ancestors are blessed
that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — an organization that has such
a positive influence upon the world — has
played such a big part in their lives. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
is blessed to have received generations of service from this devoted
family.
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