Add Your Voice

In 1875, just after BYU's founding, a choir was established, marking the beginning of music at the university. By 1883, the Department of Music was officially formed, laying the foundation for structured music education.

By the early 1900s, the academy had a band, orchestra, and choir, with music becoming a key part of the curriculum. In 1901 the department of music’s name was changed to the School of Music. During this time, the departments of Art and Speech were also established, expanding the university's focus on the arts.

In 1925, BYU President Franklin S. Harris, seeking to elevate the arts at the university, established the College of Fine Arts, with Gerrit de Jong as the first dean. This marked a major milestone as the first fine arts college in the western United States. The college brought together the previously separate departments of Music, Art, and Dramatic Arts and Speech into one unified entity, reflecting a growing commitment to comprehensive arts education. Under de Jong’s leadership, the college became a cornerstone of BYU’s academic development, fostering an environment where artistic expression could thrive across multiple disciplines.

In the 1958, the university allotted a portion of its budget to construct a fine arts center. The building was projected to cost $5 million, 80 percent of which came directly from the LDS Church. Internationally acclaimed architect William L. Pereira was hired to design the building and construction on the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) began in 1962. The HFAC is named after Franklin S. Harris, the BYU President who established the College of Fine Arts, to honor his strong support for the arts.

Mary Bee Jensen founded the BYU Folk Dancers, renamed International Folk Dance Ensemble in 1986. The BYU Folk Dancers became the first American folk dance team to represent the United States in Europe. The group quickly earned a reputation for excellence both on and off the stage across nearly every country in Europe.

In 1960, Benjamin F. de Hoyos founded the Ballroom Dance Company, which quickly gained recognition by winning first place at the British Open Championship in Blackpool, England, in 1971. Over the years, the company has reached new heights, participating in the opening of the Beijing Olympics cultural festival in 2008 and claiming its 23rd British Formation Championship title in Blackpool in 2019. The company has performed for millions across more than 35 countries, including a special command performance for the Queen of Thailand.

The Department of Communications was established in 1933, it was added onto the College of Fine Arts in 1963. The department's addition to the college officially changed its name to the College of Fine Arts and Communications. The new department adopted the former Department of Journalism (formerly housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences), the broadcasting program (formerly housed in the Department of Dramatic Arts and the photography program (formerly housed in the Department of Visual Arts. In 2015 it became the School of Communications.

The Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) was completed in 1964 at a cost of $7 million making it the most expensive building on campus at the time. President Joseph Fielding Smith Dedicated the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center on April 3, 1965. This building was later demolished at the beginning of 2023.

KBYU-TV makes its inaugural broadcast from the HFAC television studios on November 15. By 1974, KBYU-TV was broadcasting sixteen hours a day with a staff of sixty-five full-time professionals and part-time students. The programming included children's programs, adult general interest shows, daytime instruction for in-class assistance of public schools, and BYU television classes for university credit. The signal extendsed from Brigham City on the north to Nephi on the south by air and beyond by cable systems.

Founded in 1970 by Sandra B. Allen, Theatre Ballet is renowned for its family-friendly performances featuring both classic and original choreography. The company blends grace, beauty, and inspiration in each show.
The dancers, selected through a rigorous audition process, are among the best trained from BYU’s Dance Department.
The troupe has performed internationally and across the U.S., including tours to South Africa (1993), and Wyoming (1990, 1996), while also participating in prestigious events like the ACDF in Salt Lake City (2008).

The Young Ambassadors were created by Janie Thompson to represent the United States at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan. Originally called the Brigham Young Ambassadors, the group debuted on the world stage with a dynamic show of music and dance that captured the hearts of international audiences. Soon after, the name was shortened, and a legacy was born.

Since then, the Young Ambassadors have performed in over 70 countries, including Brazil, South Africa, China, and the United Kingdom, and for leaders like the prime minister of India and the king and queen of Jordan. Their high-energy blend of American musical theatre, live music, and cultural exchange continues to inspire.

Each year, 20 performers and a live band are selected through competitive auditions. Along with their shows, they host workshops, service projects, and outreach events. Before each tour, the group studies the language and culture of the countries they visit, creating deeper connections with audiences around the globe.

Stemming from the Program Bureau in 1971 and originally called the Office of Performance Scheduling, Performing Arts Management was created to facilitate the coordination of booking, travel, supervision, and promotion of all official BYU groups that perform globally. The office was initially directed by Bruce Olsen and soon after by Edward Blaser, who oversaw the program’s title change to Performing Arts Management in 1994.

They have performed for over 15 million people in 101 countries.

Living Legends was founded by Janie Thompson as a celebration of the cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific. The group’s first tour took place across Indian reservations in the United States, setting the stage for future international influence. By 1974, they were touring the Eastern U.S., and in 1975, they expanded into Central and South America, a tour Thompson called “the most significant tour in [her] entire career” for its impact on Native communities. Since then, Living Legends has dazzled audiences worldwide, including performances in China and at the 1992 International Expo in Seville, Spain. Through vibrant dance, music, and authentic costume, the group continues to inspire love for native cultures in both performers and audiences.

In 1970, the E. F. Walcker Company of Ludwigsburg, Germany, completed the installation of an outstanding 51-rank pipe organ in the Madsen Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center. The organ, one of the largest and finest in Utah, was officially inaugurated with a concert by the world-renowned Belgian organist, Flor Peeters, on December 2, 1970.

In 1971, inspired by the melodramatic film Love Story, several BYU communications majors produced Ice Cream and Elevators, the university's first student fil. Created by F. Russell Wood, Robert D. Starling, D. Dean Stubbs, and G. Dewey Pratt, the 28-minute movie captured the essence of student life and campus traditions. Premiering at the Smith Fieldhouse on May 6, 1971, the film drew 6,000 attendees and later played at the Varsity Theatre, with a cameo from BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson.

Responding to a request from the university's administration, the college piloted an academic advisement program. In 1973, the College Advisement Center opened its doors. It was the first center of its kind on campus, offering one-on-one consultations to students regarding their class schedules and graduation plans. The pilot program was successful and the College of Fine Arts and Communications Advisement Center became the model for similar centers started across campus.

Harold Oaks established the Young Company, a theatre ensemble dedicated to creating meaningful theatrical experiences for young audiences. The group now performs for more than 16,000 children annually, presenting engaging, age-appropriate productions that bring theatre to life for students of all ages. In addition to performances, the Young Company often conducts workshops and interactive activities at the schools they visit, fostering creativity, building connections and nurturing a love for the arts among the next generation.

Dee R. Winterton founded The Dancers’ Company, now known as Contemporary Dance Theatre, inspired by a concept developed by graduate student Kathleen Parsons Debenham. Since its creation, the company has toured extensively throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, South America, East Asia, South Africa, Turkey, Australia and Israel. Contemporary Dance Theatre explores diverse forms of communication and human interaction through a dynamic mix of lighthearted performances and deeply moving choreography.

The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition is established with a generous gift from Milton A. and Gloria Endowment to engender excellence in musical composition. The endowment has since warded more than $1.5 million in commissions and prizes to composers across the world.

Founded by Dr. Ronald Staheli and now directed by Dr. Andrew Crane, BYU Singers quickly rose to international acclaim for their remarkable artistry and unique style. Hailed as “one of the premier choral organizations in the country,” the ensemble has performed across five continents, from Italy to South Africa and has been featured with the Israeli Chamber Orchestra and at global events like the World Symposium on Choral Music in Australia.

Before the museum, artwork was stored in the Harris Fine Arts Center. However, BYU recognized the necessity of a proper facility to safeguard and display the collection, leading to the decision to build the the Museum of Art, starting its construction in 1991. the MOA was officially dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley on 1993. Today, it proudly showcases over 18,000 works of art, offering a rich cultural experience for all who visit.

Douglas McKinlay and Jeff Sheets launch AdLab, a student-led, professionally mentored ad agency designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, shaping industry-ready creative professionals. Since its founding, AdLab has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Student Emmy Awards for Best Commercial, recognition as the One Club's School of the Year and over 50 ADDY Awards.

BYU alumni Jared and Jerusha Hess write and direct Napoleon Dynamite, with fellow BYU graduate Jeremy Coon serving as producer and editor. Starring Jon Heder and Aaron Ruell, also BYU alumni, the film becomes a surprise hit, earning $44 million at the box office.

Brigham Young University officially announces the Center for Animation, solidifying its reputation as a rising leader in animation education. Offering tracks in both animation (BFA) and computer science (BA with an animation and games emphasis), the program blends art and technology to prepare students for careers at top studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney, and Blizzard.

Students from the program have earned national recognition, with multiple Student Emmys and Student Academy Awards highlighting the program’s success.

After decades as a creative hub on campus, in early 2023, the Harris Fine Arts Center, a cornerstone of creativity and campus culture for generations, was officially torn down. For over half a century, the HFAC housed music, theater, dance, and visual arts, becoming a second home to thousands of students and faculty. Its demolition marked the end of an era and closed a meaningful chapter in BYU’s artistic legacy.

After breaking ground in June 2020, BYU’s new Music Building officially opened in early 2023, ushering in a new era for the School of Music. Spanning 170,000 square feet over four levels, the facility boasts over 100 soundproof practice rooms, bright and spacious rehearsal areas, and cutting-edge recording studios.

At its heart is a 1,000-seat vineyard-style concert hall, where every seat is within 15 rows of the stage, offering an intimate and acoustically exceptional experience. Additional highlights include a dedicated Choral Hall, a versatile black box theater known as The Box, and a modern Studio Y for commercial music production. Designed with both performance and pedagogy in mind, the building provides students with inspiring spaces to learn, create, and perform.

The Music Building’s concert hall began its transformation in 2024 with the intricate installation of a handcrafted Létourneau organ. Built in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, the instrument arrived in over 50 crates and was assembled pipe by pipe inside the hall, a process that took months of expert precision.

With 4,603 pipes and 81 ranks, the organ is both massive and meticulous, blending traditional artistry with modern engineering. Its tallest pipes stretch over 30 feet high, and its elegant, wind-chime-inspired design now anchors the stage visually and acoustically. The result is not just an instrument, but a centerpiece built to last for generations.