History
For years, Brigham Young University has been a leader in collegiate a cappella music. The student population at BYU has produced nationally acclaimed groups like Vocal Point, Inside Out, moosebutter, and Reprise.
Although all-male groups have dominated the artform nationally, women's groups have enjoyed much success as well. Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Mint Juleps, and Mary Schmary are just some of the professional female groups that have paved the way. This wave of all-female a cappella has also graced the campuses of many colleges across the country in recent years. Noteworthy has had the opportunity to share the stage with such popular group as the Golden Overtones, Divisi, Vocal Ease, The Sirens, and others. BYU has seen several all-female groups too, including PDA and a previous group called Noteworthy.
In the fall of 2003, a BYU student named Esther Yoder decided it was time to bring female a cappella back to the school. After consulting with Bob Ahlander, co-founder and director of the Vocal Point and co-founder of the professional group Extempo, Esther recruited Vocal Point members Dave Brown and Dan Dunn to help create the new group.
In January 2004, the three founders held Noteworthy's first auditions. With just a few flyers and a little word-of-mouth, the group was surprised when over 60 women showed up to audition for just eight spots. The three founders chose the eight women who, along with Esther, became the founding members of the group.
Esther led the group to immediate success. It appeared there was a niche on campus for female a cappella. In just one semester, Noteworthy was asked to sing at several campus-wide events and many private parties. The group finished the year performing in a full-house joint concert with Vocal Point, where many were turned away at the doors.
Under the direction of co-founder Dave Brown, 2004-05 was a year of firsts for the group. Noteworthy took its first official tour when the group was invited to perform in the West Coast A Cappella Showcase at UC Berkeley. The group produced its first full-length solo concert, performed for the first time at the Utah Jazz, delivered its first fireside, and made its first appearance in the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella (ICCA). At that competition, Esther became one of the first women ever to receive the award for Most Outstanding Vocal Percussion. That same year the group took on a more professional look by releasing the noteworthyladies.com website and adopting what has now become its signature "Noteworthy green."
Vocal Point member and award-winning vocal percussionist Jimmy Dunn took the directorial reins in 2005-06. In that year Noteworthy expanded its list of performances, its repertoire, and its originality. The group delivered its second solo concert, finished recording tracks for its debut album, and performed in the third annual Vocal Point / Noteworthy joint concert. One the group's greatest forward strides that year was greatly increasing its visual appeal on stage with more professional choreography. An appearance at the ICCA not only placed them among the top groups in the western U.S., but Noteworthy member Camille Hancock brought home the award for Most Outstanding Choreography.
Noteworthy veteran Catherine Papworth stepped away from her role as performer and musical director in 2006-07 to take over as the group's full-time director. In the fall, Noteworthy achieved a long-time goal of performing in BYU's famed de Jong Concert Hall when the group was invited to open for Vocal Point's fall concert. After Noteworthy's third annual fall solo concert, the group released its long-awaited debut album On the Horizon, which represented the work of the 2004-2006 groups. "Kaval Sviri," a Bulgarian track on the album, was shortly thereafter nominated for the prestigious Contemporary A cappella Recording Award (CARA) in the best female collegiate song category. During the winter semester, Noteworthy took an incredible path through the ICCA competition. At the Quarterfinals, the group not only took first place (a milestone for the group), but received the highest score ever given in a single round in the history of the competition. At the same round, director Catherine received the Most Outstanding Arrangement Award for "How Great Thou Art." At the semifinals, Catherine received the same award again, and the group took first place, winning the entire western region. In their first tour east of the Rockies, Noteworthy flew to New York City in April to compete in the International Finals. At the finals, group member Kristin Papworth received the award for Most Outstanding Choreography for Noteworthy's full set. Moments later it was announced the Noteworthy had won the entire competition, making them the new world champions! Since Vocal Point had won the previous year, this victory represented two consecutive wins for BYU groups. In all, it was a tremendous year.
Group co-founder Esther Yoder, recently returned from an 18-month mission for the LDS Church, will serve as the group's director for 2007-08. Although Esther brings a bedrock of Noteworthy history to the group, she is excited to direct the group toward new horizons. The group's sleek new website design represents just one piece of this new effort. Esther already has the ladies booked for previously unknown venues, and hopes to deliver an impressive ICCA performance again. The year looks promising indeed.
Though the individual members of the group may come and go, Noteworthy remains. Each lady who dons the Noteworthy green walks away not only a better performer, but hopefully a better person as well. As Noteworthy expands its versatility and style, performs in new venues, and gains added recognition, the group will remain dedicated to its mission of uplifting audiences and spreading joy through the power of music.