BYU graduate Rachel Willis-SÁ¸rensen (BM ’08, MM ’09) launched her international career in February 2012. After winning an international singing competition the year before, Willis-SÁ¸rensen was recruited by one of the judges to perform in a lead role with the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. Willis-SÁ¸rensen is excited to finally have found her niche in music, and she will continue to impress audiences with her clear soprano voice in the future. Read all about her experience in the BYU Magazine.

For the 2012 Honored Alumni Lecture next week, Brigham Young University's College of Fine Arts and Communications welcomes the famed Jerold Ottley. On Thursday, Oct. 11, the former music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will give a lecture entitled You Want Me to Do What? at 11:00 a.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Brigham Young University’s colleges and the David M. Kennedy Center each selected an outstanding graduate to recognize with the Alumni Achievement Award. The honorees will give a lecture as part of the honor during Homecoming 2012. Jerold Ottley was selected for the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Click here for a complete list of honorees. During his tenure with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jerold D. Ottley, the choice for the College of Fine Arts and Communications, was responsible for nearly 1,300 broadcasts of “Music and the Spoken Word” while participating in more than 30 commercial recordings and more than 20 major tours. In addition, the Salt Lake City musician put together programs for General Conference and concerts as well as keeping the 320-plus member choir ready to perform. Source: BYU News

Group for New Music, the Brigham Young University School of Music’s avant-garde and new music ensemble, will present a recital featuring the works of composer David Rakowski Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center.

Brigham Young University’s Young Company will present a performance tailored toward young audiences of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Tuesday through Saturday, Oct. 17-20 and 23-27 in the Margetts Theatre. The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday’s performances will include matinees at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Brigham Young University School of Music will offer faculty and guest artists in three free recitals Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13, in the Madsen Recital Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center.

Due to the high demand for tickets to the sold out performance by Beijing Dance Academy tomorrow night, tickets will now be sold for the Beijing Dance Academy and BYU Philharmonic final dress rehearsal tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 2) at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall balcony. These general admission balcony seats will be sold for $5 each.

Traveling from China to perform with the Brigham Young University Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Performing Arts Series, the Beijing Dance Academy will present an encore production of a joint performance presented in Beijing last year. The performance will be in the de Jong Concert Hall Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

As part of the celebration commemorating the historic, 100 year-old Karl G. Maeser Building, six of Brigham Young University’s finest performing groups will present music, dance and songs that span a century during BYU Spectacular 2012.

Looking for something fun to do this week? After the Beijing Dance Academy and BYU Philharmonic's performance this Wednesday, Oct. 3, there will be a free dance party held in the HFAC B.F. Larsen Gallery. Bring your friends to dance the night away from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served and dance instruction will be provided. BYU’s own Synthesis will be providing the music.

As part of BYU’s 2012 centennial celebration of the Karl G. Maeser building, the university will honor the venerable structure during Homecoming 2012 and Homecoming Spectacular, scheduled Oct. 11 and 12 in the Marriott Center, will build its show around the Maeser Building in a lively Homecoming Spectacular concert that features six of BYU’s premiere performing groups.

The October 2012 Brigham Young University arts calendar features plays, recitals and concerts with talented guests as well as BYU faculty and student artists. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or online at byuarts.com/tickets.

Will air on BYU Broadcasting stations Oct. 6, 7 and 13