Career
Prior to Sands taking over as conductor, the choir was led by Charles J. Thomas and performed in the "Old Tabernacle", which was also on Temple Square. Sands was born in Ballinascreen, County Londonderry, Ireland. Sands emigrated to Utah Territory in 1863.
In October 1867, he led the choir in its first performance in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
In 1869 he was succeeded as director of the choir by George Careless. Sands died in Salt Lake City at the age of 44.