BYU a
Capella Group is Noteworthy
Nabby Parkinson
In the fall of 2003, a young
BYU student named Esther Yoder decided to form a nine-member,
all-female a cappella group on campus. At the time, there
had been few to none all-female a cappella groups at BYU,
and Esther wasn’t sure how popular the idea would be.
Yet with only a few flyers posted about the auditions, more
than 60 women showed up for the eight coveted spots.
On February 1, 2004, Noteworthy
was born.
During its three-year existence,
Noteworthy has seen tremendous growth. The group has competed
in ICCA (International Championships for Collegiate a Cappella)
multiple times, opened for Vocal Point’s De Jong show,
had its own two-act show, and in December 2006 released its
debut album, “On the Horizon.” Recently, a song
on this album, “Kaval Sviri,” was nominated for
the prestigious CARA (Contemporary a Cappella Recording Awards)
in the Female Collegiate Song category.
“On
the Horizon” is the accumulation of two and a half years
of hard work from the 21 girls who have participated over
the years and four directors who have helped them. With nine
hours of rehearsal every week, these Noteworthy ladies strive
for excellence in their sound, choreography, and teamwork.
With frequent performances, and busy school lives, they somehow
managed to put 60 to 80 hours into recording, self-mixing,
and self-producing. They all sacrificed and donated money
in some way to keep the dream of a CD alive. One dedicated
member, Ashley Tanabe, even collected cans to recycle during
her summer vacation. She raised $400 to aid in the effort.
The sacrifices, as one can hear
from the CD, were well worth it. These ladies have managed
to sound simultaneously sweet, compelling, soulful, and wholesome.
From low basses to high trumpets, from strong soloists to
incredible vocal percussion, they come together in a blend
that is exceptionally moving.
They sing pop hits such as “Isn’t
She Lovely,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,”
“Survivor,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
On top of that they also sing a poignant rendition of the
Lord of the Rings' “Into the West.” Noteworthy
has sung this song every year because of its Christian message
of the existence of a heavenly world after death. They also
sing several spiritual numbers such as “Where Can I
Turn for Peace,” and “How Great Thou Art,”
which testify powerfully of their faith in Christ.
Noteworthy does not simply strive
to sing well. They also know the power that music can have
in bringing listeners to Christ, and they endeavor to uplift
all that hear them. They also commit to uphold modest and
virtuous lives in order to prove the value of womanhood and
the family.
While focusing on lifting listeners
up, they can’t but lift each other up during the process.
Ellen Alleman, one of the first members, said, “The
connections I made while a part of the group helped me get
through hard times in my life, and the friends I made in the
group will always be a part of my life.”
Catherine Papworth, a member
from 2004 to 2006 (nd the current director), affirmed, “Noteworthy
has given me the best friends I could ever have in the world.
It’s given me a way to express my passion for music
and for lighting up people’s lives. Noteworthy has been
a safe haven for me, a sisterhood of women who truly care
about each other, music, and the gospel. I wouldn’t
ever trade this experience. It’s meant so much to me.”
