And that is where our story begins.
Shortly after, an open audition was called using social media, to be held in Salt Lake City. Due to the overwhelming response in Salt Lake, a second audition was called in Provo, UT.
But the choir quickly found that their truly is "opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:27).
Andrea Smardon, a local reporter with NPR affiliate KUER asked to attend the first rehearsal to conduct audio interviews regarding this historic choir. As she was recording, officials from the LDS Church interupted the interviews and asked her to stop recording. The next day, musical director Bryan Horn recieved an e-mail from the local church leadership that the choir was no longer welcome to use their facilites to rehearse in. When asked for a reason, the church responded that the choir was engaged in both video and audio recording within the chapel, which was strictly prohibited under church policy. Bryan Horn apologized profusely for the mis-understanding, but denied any video recording was taking place. Audio recording was being conducted, but not inside of the chapel. Later, Bryan Horn was displeased to find videos on the popular video sharing site YouTube showing another local Salt Lake City based choir that regularly used LDS chapels as rehearsal venues, having officials from that choir audio and video record those rehearals and then placing them on YouTube.
It seemed that the choir was finished before it even started. After 2 weeks of absence, several phone calls, and many hours spent in prayer, the doors of Christ United Methodist Church in the Salt Lake suburb of Millcreek opened their doors to the choir. Regular rehearsals began to commence.
The choir had its first soft debut performance on Saturday, November 3, 2013 at the "Circling The Wagons" Conference at Wasatch Presbyterian Church. Despite rehearsing only 2 times together, the choir performed a solemn rendition of "Where Can I Turn For Peace?", and left those in attendance in tears. Afterwards, many conference goers expressed their surprising amazement to the quality and professionalism of the choir, as well as their spiritual messages of hope.
The first rehearsal of The One Voice Choir was held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at an LDS Church in Salt Lake City. After that first gathering, it was apparent that something special was forming, as the stories of individual members were shared. Some members were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who came to support their gay children, while some were excommunicated members of the church, and wanted to reconnect to the faith of their past. As stories were told, tears were shed, and beautiful music was made.
The choir's official debut season began on January 3, 2013 with rehearsals for their first concert, "He Still Loves Me". The concert featured classical songs of the LDS faith, as well as new and innovating selections, all affirming the love of God for His children.
As the local KUER story was picked up by national NPR affiliates, Bryan Horn recieved an unusual call. George Hirsch, a broadcaster with German Public Radio (the German equivelent of NPR) had heard the story and thought the German people would be interested in the news of the small Mormon gay choir. After several interviews, German Public Radio debuted several stories throughout that nation about the events going on in Salt Lake City.
Upon the eve of the first concert, local Fox 13 anchor Hope Woodside expressed interest in doing a story about the choir. 2 days before the concert, Fox 13 ran a featured story about The One Voice Choir, telling out story, and inviting the general public to the first concert at Christ United Methodist Church.
The choir performed to a sold out audience on Saturday, April 20, 2013.
Since then, it has been a rollercoaster of opportunity and
excitement for the choir. Since that first concert, the choir has made
a name for itself within the Salt Lake LGBT community as a choir of
inclusiveness and musical excellence.
The choir has since performed at the prestigious Utah Pride Interfaith Service, the General Conference of Affirmation for Gay and Lesbian Mormons, and the First Annual Provo Pride Interfaith Service.