\u201cI spent more than a decade just down the road from Independence Hall [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], where our Founding Fathers put pen to paper on the Declaration of Independence,\u201d said Reid, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked for the Philadelphia Eagles football team as coach and other positions from 1999 to 2012. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AL7OJRBA4BCIZG2SWY7BG7344M.jpg\")
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. | Doug Benc, Associated Press <\/p>\n
The Founding Fathers \u201cwere the ultimate team \u2014 facing adversity, staying the course and building something that has endured for 250 years. I\u2019m honored to join The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square to celebrate the birth of our nation in a place that reflects the same spirit of unity and faith,\u201d Reid said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMusic & the Spoken Word\u201d will be presented live twice on Sunday, July 5 \u2014 the Sunday after the United States\u2019 Independence Day on July 4 \u2014 at 9:30 a.m. MDT and again at 11 a.m. MDT. The broadcasts can be viewed or listened to on television, radio<\/a> and the choir\u2019s YouTube<\/a> channel. (See MusicandtheSpokenWord.com<\/a> to see where to watch or listen.) <\/p>\n The broadcasts will continue to originate from the Tabernacle on Temple Square <\/a>through 2027. Tickets will be required to attend the July 5 broadcasts, and information on obtaining tickets will be released at a later date, according to the announcement.<\/a><\/p>\n Reid previously directed the Tabernacle Choir when the choir performed in Philadelphia\u2019s Mann Theater on July 7, 2003,<\/a> as part of the choir\u2019s Northeast tour. <\/p>\n He said of the experience<\/a> at the time was that it was \u201cthe thrill of thrills. I\u2019ve been to the Super Bowl; this was right up there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tabernacle Choir and orchestra\u2019s rendition of \u201cBattle Hymn of the Republic<\/a>\u201d is part of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Soundtrack,\u201d a national music collection created to commemorate the 250th anniversary, ChurchofJesusChrist.org<\/a> announced on March 5.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of three songs that were on the America250 YouTube channel<\/a> earlier this month. More music has been added. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n About \u2018Music & the Spoken Word\u2019 <\/p>\n The 30-minute weekly \u201cMusic & the Spoken Word\u201d broadcast includes several songs performed by the 360-voice choir and 85-musician orchestra, an organ solo and a spoken message. Derrick Porter<\/a> has been the producer, principal writer and presenter of \u201cMusic & the Spoken Word\u201d since June 2024. The broadcasts are free and tickets aren\u2019t required. The all-volunteer choir and orchestra\u2019s Thursday evening rehearsals are also open to the public. See TheTabernacleChoir.org<\/a> for information about attending. <\/p>\n Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt said, \u201cThe Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square lends its voice in celebrating the freedom of religion proclaimed to the world in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago.\u201d <\/p>\n The \u201cMusic & the Spoken Word\u201d first aired on July 15, 1929, and the 5,000th episode aired in July 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n The choir and orchestra recently returned from a \u201cSongs of Hope\u201d tour stop in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil.<\/a><\/p>\n They have performed in a variety of venues and events, including the 2002 Olympic<\/a> and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and multiple U.S. presidential inaugurations.<\/a> In 2003, the choir was awarded the National Medal of Arts by U.S. President George W. Bush<\/a> for its \u201cextraordinary contributions to music and the art of choral singing; for the wide reach and impact of its music; and for inspiring audiences worldwide.\u201d <\/p>\n These \u201cmusical missionaries\u201d are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and choir members have a monthslong audition process.<\/p>\n The choir\u2019s origins date back to 1847, when pioneer members of the Church formed a choir to sing at a conference of the Church weeks after arriving in Utah\u2019s Salt Lake Valley. The orchestra was organized in 1999, and up to 85 musicians from a roster of 200 volunteers perform with the choir during the weekly \u201cMusic & the Spoken Word\u201d<\/a> broadcast and other special events.<\/p>\n The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress<\/a> on July 4, 1776. <\/p>\n There have been several invitations and opportunities for Church members and friends.<\/p>\n The First Presidency has invited all to participate in a fast on July 5 \u201cto express gratitude for religious liberty and to pray that it be strengthened throughout the world,\u201d wrote President Dallin H. Oaks<\/a> and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring<\/a> and President D. Todd Christofferson,<\/a> in a letter dated March 12<\/a>. Also, a video about the significance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will be released for a fifth-Sunday lesson on May 31. <\/p>\n JustServe<\/a> is collaborating with America250<\/a> \u2014 the official nonpartisan initiative established by Congress to commemorate the United States\u2019 250th anniversary \u2014 to make 2026 a record-setting year of volunteering.<\/p>\n FamilySearch International<\/a> is also collaborating with America250<\/a> with special America250-themed experiences.<\/p>\n![\"Philadelphia](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PSSKCRWL7JC2JNUZKUI4TEG57Y.JPG\")
Andy Reid, then the Philadelphia Eagles coach, conducts the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in singing his team’s fight song during the choir’s concert in Mann Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday evening, July 7, 2003. | Gerry Avant, Church News <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2YPSTVHFBRGKVJCA3DYOBTZA5Q.JPG\")
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sings during the broadcast of the 5,000th episode of “Music & the Spoken Word” at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 13, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News About the Tabernacle Choir and orchestra <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KR6THQEKLBCK5O3QKS42NO4Q64.JPG\")
Members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing during the broadcast of the 5,000th episode of “Music & the Spoken Word” at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 13, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News <\/p>\n![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/YHLLSDOLENFKBOSGUJOXLUHMEQ.JPG\")
Members of The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform in the\u00a0Gin\u00e1sio do Ibirapuera as part of the “Songs of Hope” tour in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret News Celebrating America\u2019s 250th <\/p>\n