Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
A Mormon Tabernacle Choir Member Quit So She Wouldn't Have To Sing For Trump
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Dec 30, 2016
Modified Dec 30, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Dec 30, 2016
Modified Dec 30, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The drama over musical performances at Trump's inauguration gets more bigly by the day. Having successfully ripped the Rockettes apart and alienated all the celebrities who are not named Kid Rock, Team Trump has galvanized at least one member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to leave the group now that it's set to perform at Democracy's Doomsday.
Jan Chamberlin, who has been with the choir for five years, posted her resignation letter to Facebook, noting that while the choir has given her "many memories and experiences which I will cherish and hold dear in my heart," she "could never look myself in the mirror again with self respect" after performing for Trump. She added, "I only know I could never 'throw roses to Hitler.' And I certainly could never sing for him." You can read the whole thing below:
A spokesman for the Church of the Latter Day Saints told The Salt Lake Tribune that participation in the choir (and at the inauguration) is voluntary, but the Choir's inauguration slot has still sparked petitions and protests from the Mormon community, according to the Tribune.
Trump's had a lot of trouble securing performers for the inauguration—Andrea Bocelli, the one celebrity musician briefly floated for the event, allegedly backed out after taking heat on social media for agreeing to perform, and there was a noted uproar among the Rockettes after it was announced they'd be dancing for Trump & Friends on January 20th.
Tagged
donald trump
inauguration
mormon tabernacle choir
trump inauguration
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 13, 2026
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Arts & Entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .