The Tabernacle Choir Shares ‘Songs of Hope’ in Peru

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performed their final concert in Peru on Saturday night, February 22, 2025.

Over 33,000 people packed into Peru’s National Stadium in Lima to hear songs (including several in Spanish) that praise God and promote faith. This visit to Peru was the fourth stop on the Choir’s “Songs of Hope” world tour. Previous concerts were in Mexico, the Philippines and the Southeastern United States.

This is the first of three stops for the Choir in South America to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the continent. The Choir will travel to Argentina in August 2025 and Brazil in 2026.

Downloadable B-roll & SOTs

“We are all celebrating a special moment of our history when this land was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel,” said Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It’s going to be a celebration that will unite South America in this feeling of gratitude, love and hope for the future.”

Guest artists included Adassa, Alex Melecio, Mauricio Mesones and Fonseca. Three people native to the area also joined the Choir through the Global Participant Program: Yanina Murga of Ecuador, Marcelo Maldonado of Bolivia and Axa Dennise Zárate of Peru.

“The Tabernacle Choir is a choir of the world,” Murga said. “It shows how much our Heavenly Father loves us because the music is amazing.”

In addition to Peruvian audience members, many came from Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia.

Edith Sáenz, a Bolivian Latter-day Saint, traveled for 24 hours by bus to see the Choir in person. “I feel privileged to be here and see the Choir live,” she said.

“It’s not easy to come from the jungle to Lima,” said Oscar Ramirez, a Latter-day Saint from Iquitos, Peru, “But we have made an effort, a sacrifice, to come here.” Years ago, Ramirez sold everything he owned to make his first trip to a temple, and the sacrifices he made to see the Choir reminded him of the joy and blessings he received from his first temple trip. “It is a wonderful thing. We love the Choir,” he said.

Saturday’s concert was the Choir’s first time holding a concert in an arena as large as the National Stadium. It was also streamed to four countries simultaneously (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru).

“Members have been ramping up for months now to get their friends and to create this celebration,” said Elder Jorge T. Becerra, South America Northwest Area President.

The night was filled with joyous songs and praise centered on the hope offered through Jesus Christ. “Our primary purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ,” Elder Soares said. 

“There’s no better way to do that than through music,” explained Mike Leavitt, President of the Tabernacle Choir.

Marie Montoya attended the concert with her family. “We were just looking for a spiritual experience for our family. And this really was wonderful for us,” she said. “It was a really wonderful experience. I loved it,” added her husband Javier Montoya.

The Choir and Orchestra members cherished their time in Peru. “It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get to be here and experience the culture and to meet the people and to play their music. It’s just been amazing,” said Abby Beattie, a violinist in the orchestra.

“It’s hard to say in words what we felt not only during the concert but during the whole week we felt this spirit of unity, belonging, hope, love, engagement, everything,” said Elder Soares. “It was such a beautiful experience that I will never forget in my life; it will remain with me forever.”

Download Photo

Visit With the President of Peru

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Elder Soares and other Church leaders met with Peru President Dina Boluarte. The Apostle was joined by the Tabernacle Choir presidency, the South America Northwest Area Presidency, and former U.S. Senator Mitt Romney. They spoke of family, religious freedom, strengthening ties and efforts to support those in need.

“We are all children of God, and we want to share His love with all the people in the world,” Elder Soares said after the visit. “It was an amazing opportunity to be with her and see how much respect she has for what we do, we are working through her committees to help people in whatever condition we can.”

On Wednesday afternoon, the Choir Presidency, on behalf of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, accepted an award at the Legislative Palace in Lima.

Musical Ministry

As part of their tour, the Choir presidency and Mack Wilberg, director of the Tabernacle Choir, connected with local musicians. On Friday, February 21, in a chapel in Lima, the Voces del Sol Youth Choir performed for Wilberg and L. Whitney Clayton of the presidency.

“It was a thrill to have been invited to be heard by the Tabernacle Choir directors,” said Claudia Rheineck, the director of Voces del Sol Youth Choir. “It is an honor that they can hear something from Peru and hear what is being worked on at the choral level here in Peru.”

Later that day, Mack Wilberg answered questions for a room full of local music directors at the National Stadium in Lima.

“He is such an inspiration for me,” said Mauricio Miranda, who attended the event. “He is one of the greatest composers.”

“The people are so warm and appreciative,” said Wilberg. “We feel it's a great blessing to have been able to come to Peru.”