Surprise Proposal At Choir Rehearsal

Before the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was surprised with news we would be touring to Europe in 2016, another special surprise took place.

THE PROPOSAL

Choir tenor Neil Westover was invited to the stage to make “an announcement”. He greeted Choir members and said he couldn’t think of a better group of people to share this moment with. Neil then invited choir alto Denise Pons to join him on stage where he dropped to one knee, pulled out a diamond ring and asked the important question of the day [to a crying Denise, and delighted audience]:

“Will you be my Tour Roommate?”

Neil Westover slips ring onto Denise Pons finger (Choir director Mack Wilberg can be seen smiling in the background). Photo courtesy Deb Gheris — **Neil Westover slips ring onto Denise Pons finger (Choir director Mack Wilberg can be seen smiling in the background). Photo by Deb Gheris**

And her response?

“For the next 13 years at least… and then thereafter!”

Neil Westover and Denise Pons embrace after their wedding proposal during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal, Thursday July 23, 2015 - Photo courtesy Deb Gheris — **Neil Westover and Denise Pons embrace after their wedding proposal during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal, Thursday July 23, 2015 – Photo by Deb Gheris**

[Later it was determined that if they both serve until the retirement age of 60, they will actually get 15 more years of potential choir tours.]

The Choir gave a rousing standing ovation – which ended up being a great warm-up for our NEXT standing ovation!

Following this exciting proposal, choir President Ron Jarrett made the big historic announcement of next year’s three week European tour. It looks like Neil and Denise scored big for their first tour as “roommates”!

How’s that for a “ROMANTIC HONEYMOON with your closest 700 friends tagging along”! 😉