Who knew? How exciting is this: a local Fallonite being portrayed in a documentary and proposed movie!
In the early 1960s, a small group of American missionaries, local and longtime resident Roger Sorensen among them, arrived in Denmark with a simple goal—to share their faith. Instead, they sparked something far bigger. Facing cultural barriers and prejudice, they struggled to connect until they turned to the universal language of music.
Calling themselves The Singing Mormons, they performed folk songs, African American spirituals, and American tunes. What began as a way to meet people quickly grew into a national phenomenon. Their music opened doors, softened hearts, and created connections that would last for generations.
Then history intersected with their story. During a televised concert, Denmark’s first transcontinental satellite broadcast interrupted its program with news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In that moment, The Singing Mormons became a part of a shared global memory. That sparked a rapid rise to fame. Show requests poured in, leading to a record deal with Domino Records, approved by then-President David O. McKay. Their albums stood alongside The Beatles in Danish record stores.
They toured the country in a Volkswagen Bus, performed for crowds of up to 80,000 at a two-day fair, visited 70-plus high schools, and even sang for the Royal Danish family, all while retiring each night to hardwood church gym floors in sleeping bags. As they departed, their original song, "Farewell to Copenhagen," played over airport speakers, a powerful symbol of how fully they had been embraced. Their music still lives on.
This summer, actors and performers reminiscent of the Singing Mormons' 1960s Danish music group will be going, along with Roger Sorensen, production and camera crews, to film a documentary; they will be telling Roger’s story. The documentary will be used to promote the movie.
Roger Sorensen, along with his deceased wife, is the parent of eight children. He has since remarried Betty McQuain. Roger has farmed in Fallon his whole life. He is a professional musician and has worked as a music teacher, choir director, and orchestra director for literally thousands of Churchill County School District students for 30 years. He served as a Danish missionary for 2 1/2 years and as a Stake President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints locally for 9 years.
Roger is currently teamed up with Kaleidoscope Pictures, a trusted film studio and media production company. (They produced the movie, "Truth and Treason," in conjunction with Angel Studios.) Actor Kirby Heyborne and American film producer, director, and writer Garrett Batty are working in conjunction with the Help Them See Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to take on this Singing Mormons project.
More information can be found on Facebook. The end goal is to create a proposed, fine-and-moving, family-friendly, full-length feature film for American families to enjoy! We need more good in the world. Of note, most of the original group are still alive in their mid-eighties; so, this is a living, breathing work.
Fallon, you are in luck! The New Singing Mormons musicians and actors will be debuting their music in Fallon at a concert just for you! It will be performed Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Churchill County High School Auditorium.
Guest performers are The American Footwork’s dance team and a bluegrass band. Believe me, you are in for a real treat! Local gifted musician Roger Sorensen will be performing at the concert!
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