This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At the sixth-annual Star Awards from the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem, Utah, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir took home the evening's most significant honor: the 2011 Star Award.
Ten other organizations and individuals were also recognized at the gala held Saturday, February 19. Associate Director Ryan Murphy and Principal Organist Rick Elliott represented the Choir and accepted the award.SCERA, founded in 1933, is a non-profit charitable arts organization dedicated to the development and advancement of arts and culture, arts education.
From the press release:The Choir was recognized as having served as the worldwide ambassador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its first official tour to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Also noted were the Choir's performances at inaugurations of six U.S. presidents and the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the Choir's 175 recordings including a Grammy and five gold, two platinum records, the National Medal of Arts and induction into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame. Others who were honored at the event included Lex de Azevedo, Rodger Sorensen, Sam Cardon, Bonnie Story, Ivan Lincoln, Bob and Darlene Nave, Col. Jack Tueller, the Springville Museum of Art and Zions Bank.