The rest, as they say, is history - 50 years of performances from this iconic Utah clan - a milestone celebrated Friday night with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square in Salt Lake City's LDS Conference Center.

The annual Pioneer Day Concert included selections that will be featured in the choir's upcoming CD of American folk tunes, including the sparkling opening work, "Saints Bound for Heaven."

Tabernacle Choir director Mack Wilberg's affinity for creating vibrant arrangements of tunes from America's musical heritage showed, especially in his rhythmic "Down to the River to Pray," written as a commission for the Alpine District's Timberline Middle School music department.

Other Wilberg arrangements included a fiddle-tune inspired "Bound for the Promised Land," a sumptuous setting of "Shenandoah" and a foot-stomping, hand-clapping audience favorite, "Cindy."

The choir and orchestra, along with organists Richard Elliott, Clay Christiansen and Andrew Unsworth, continued to improve their signature sound with good balance, well-nuanced phrases and clear articulation. Wilberg's effective conducting successfully bridged the wide distance between choir and orchestra, creating a precise, musically thrilling effect.

When the Osmond brothers entered to sing "Down by the Lazy River," the atmosphere in the Conference Center changed. The group's combo provided additional accompaniment, scenes from the family scrapbook and clips from 50 years of Osmond performances were projected on the screen, and the audience was immersed in a sea of nostalgia.

"One Bad Apple" included a clip of the '70s-era cartoon, "The Osmonds," and the brothers, including Donnie and Jimmy, gave a tribute to their hearing-impaired brothers Virl and Tom before singing "He Ain't Heavy."

Marie took the spotlight for a soulful rendition of "How Great Thou Art," arranged by Jerry Williams.

Williams conducted the Osmond concert segments and accompanied Donnie and Marie on the piano through some of their hits like "It Takes Two," "Puppy Love" and "Paper Roses" - bubble-gum rock at its finest. For many, it was a reminder of watching Donnie and Marie grow up on television. Their toothy smiles, wholesome image and golden voices seemed to be strong as ever.

Donny's voice was especially expressive as he sang "Whenever You're in Trouble," bringing tears to several in the audience.

Tom and Virl were invited to the stage to perform the final selections. They signed as the family sang "Through the Years," which included a clip of one of the brothers' earliest performances, a photo of their audition for Walt Disney and scenes from their days on "The Andy William's Show."

The concert ended with the entire ensemble performing Wilberg's stirring arrangement of the pioneer-era anthem, "Come, Come, Ye Saints."

The somewhat recent passing of George and Olive Osmond, the family's parents, added poignancy to the event, attended by LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson. Their efforts to promote their children as Latter-day Saint pioneers in the entertainment industry were clearly evident Friday night. They would be proud.

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day Concert with the Osmond Family

Utah's most famous musical institutions, the Tabernacle Choir and the Osmonds, performed together for the first time in a nostalgic event celebrating the state's pioneer heritage and the family's musical legacy.

Where: Salt Lake City LDS Conference Center

When: Friday and again tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Running time: Ninety minutes with no intermission.

Tickets: Free tickets have already been distributed, but chances are excellent to enter through a stand-by line that forms at 6 p.m.