In his book, A Century of Singing, J. Spencer Cornwall, former music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, details many events in the history of the Choir. One important event discussed is the very first concert in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The following is an excerpt from the book:
The long series of concerts given by the Tabernacle Choir since its organization over a century ago is imposing. The first concert of record was given in the new Tabernacle July 4, 1873. This performance was to mark the beginning of a concert era which at the present writing has no visible ending.