Organist plays final Tabernacle refrain

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- John Longhurst has played his final notes for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, after 30 years as its organist.

Before his retirement Saturday, Longhurst, 67, was responsible for weekly performances on the 11,623-pipe pioneer-era organ at Temple Square, the Mormon landmark. He also oversaw four full-time and two part-time organists, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The job is more demanding than most in the music world, he said, because of the brutal performance schedule, which included recitals and accompaniment for the Tabernacle choir's weekly broadcast.

"There's always a performance off in the future you have yet to prepare for," the organist said.

Friends described Longhurst as an excellent -- but humble -- musician.

"He's extremely bright, just a pure individual, with great knowledge," said choir president Mac Christensen.