Special Optional ATG Festival Outing – Sunday, July 12, 2026
From Accordions to the Tabernacle
We are no longer taking reservations for the Sunday outing.

What could be a more inspiring way to conclude a week of accordion music than experiencing one of the most beautiful musical traditions in America? Join your accordion friends for a memorable Sunday morning in the heart of Salt Lake City featuring magnificent music, historic surroundings, and a wonderful brunch to end the festival in style.

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Continuing last year’s tradition, ATG will once again offer a special sightseeing outing on Sunday morning following the final concert of the festival. This year, we have planned something truly memorable for those who would like to experience one of Salt Lake City’s most treasured traditions.

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When we first began discussing ideas for this Sunday outing, I asked my dear friend Joan Sommers what she would most like to experience if she were visiting Salt Lake City. Without hesitation, she replied, “I would love to hear that amazing choir you have there.” That wonderful suggestion quickly became the inspiration for this year’s Sunday excursion.

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After the festival concludes on Saturday evening, ATG attendees are invited to join us on Sunday morning, July 12, for a relaxing and inspiring excursion to historic Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

We will depart the hotel at 8:15 AM and return no later than 1:15 PM.

 

Our chartered bus will take us to attend the live broadcast of Music & the Spoken Word, featuring the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. This remarkable program holds the distinction of being the longest-running continuous network broadcast in history, and hearing it live is an unforgettable experience.

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ATG attendees will attend as guests of the Choir, and there is no admission cost for this portion of the outing.

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Inside the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle, famous for its extraordinary acoustics, you will hear the magnificent sound of the 360-voice choir, accompanied by an 85-member orchestra and the great Tabernacle pipe organ, one of the largest and most famous organs in the world with more than 200 ranks of pipes. The Tabernacle’s remarkable acoustics are legendary — visitors are often amazed that a simple pin dropped at the front of the hall can be heard clearly throughout the entire building. The organ itself is also a historic treasure, first installed in 1867, and its powerful yet warm sound has become one of the most recognizable musical voices in American broadcasting.

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For musicians, spaces like this are a joy to experience, where every tone can bloom and resonate beautifully — something accordionists especially appreciate.

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For those of us who love great acoustics and great instruments, imagine ending a wonderful week of accordion music by sitting inside one of the most acoustically celebrated buildings in the world, surrounded by the breathtaking sound of choir, orchestra, and organ. It promises to be a truly inspiring musical moment.

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We are also working with representatives at Temple Square to arrange a few special experiences for our ATG group, which may include a behind-the-scenes visit inside the Tabernacle and possibly a brief meet-and-greet with the Choir conductor following the broadcast. While these arrangements are still being finalized, we hope to make the experience even more memorable for our attendees.

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Following the broadcast and a short visit to Temple Square, we will travel just a few blocks south to the beautiful Little America Hotel for their famous Sunday Brunch.

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Little America is well known for its lavish made-from-scratch brunch buffet, typically featuring:

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• made-to-order omelets
• a prime rib carving station
• seafood selections such as crab legs and shrimp
• fresh pastries and breakfast specialties
• an impressive dessert display

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For this special ATG event, Little America has generously offered our group a 20% discount from their regular brunch price of $49 (plus tax and gratuity) — making the brunch only $55 total including tax, gratuity, beverages, desserts, and all buffet items.

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Aside from the cost of the meal, the only additional charge will be the shared cost of the chartered bus transportation (which will depend on the number of attendees).

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Let me say what an incredible honor it has been to help plan the 2026 ATG Festival here in my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. Being part of bringing this wonderful gathering of accordion friends and musicians to our city has been a true privilege, and I hope many of you will take advantage of this special opportunity to experience a little of what makes Salt Lake City so unique.

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It will be a wonderful and relaxing way to conclude the 2026 ATG Festival—great music, great food, and great friends while enjoying one of Salt Lake City’s most beloved cultural traditions.

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I hope many of you will join us for this very special Sunday morning finale. Seating on the charter bus will be limited, so we encourage attendees to reserve their place as soon as possible.

 

Warmly,
Paul Pasquali

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