Hit-making Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ben Rector will be the featured talent for BYU Spectacular! 2019, along with prolific LDS-Christian crossover artist Hilary Weeks. The headliners will also be joined by Vocal Point, Men’s Chorus, Young Ambassadors, Ballroom Dance Company, Cougarettes, International Folk Dance Ensemble and the BYU Dunk Team as part of BYU Homecoming 2019. BYU Spectacular! offers two performances: Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the general public go on sale July 15th at BYUtickets.com, with advance ticket sales for BYU alumni and students and BYU ArtsPass holders the week prior. Read more at news.byu.edu

The College of Fine Arts and Communications will continue its mission to “teach the disciplines of art, communications, dance, design, music and theatre and media arts … expand their civilizing influence on the human spirit” with another year of the Faith and Works Lecture Series.

BYU School of Communications students, professors and alumni joined together for a catered lunch and a motivational lecture on Friday, Sept. 20 Public relations graduate Abe Gong was the guest speaker at the Fall 2019 Beckham Lecture, a semi-annual lecture given by a communications alumni or professor to students. He is currently the CEO of Superconductive Health and was chosen for his innovations in healthcare research. Gong focused on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that guide individuals’ lives — both professionally and personally. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that have happened in Gong’s life include his undergraduate education at BYU, his masters degree at the University of Michigan, various job opportunities and creating a family with his wife. Gong noted that people typically say “seize the opportunity” when encouraging others to take chances that could lead to positive growth, but he argued that the word “seize” has a sudden, forcible and grasping feeling that inhibits personal responsibility for opportunities. Instead, Gong believes that students should think of the phrase as “cultivate the opportunity.” As individuals seek to cultivate opportunities in their lives, they will create and shape life-changing trajectories and events. Read the full story at comms.byu.edu.

BYU communications professor uses passion for flying drones — both personally and professionally — as inspiration for award-winning research paper

Earlier this year, Larson received the Smith-Pettit Foundation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Mormon LettersMelissa Leilani Larson discovered her talent and love for crafting words at an early age, writing her first short story in third grade.

What do legendary BYU basketball coach Stanley Watts, BYU All-American center Kresimir Cosic and current BYU illustration professor Justin Kunz have in common? All three have been part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies. Well, sort of. Watts and Cosic have been inducted as members. This past weekend, Kunz was honored as one of the two artists whose designs for a set of commemorative coins were unveiled during the event on September 6, which was broadcast on NBA TV. The 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin pays tribute to the game of basketball and the coaches, players, referees and contributors who make it an exciting game to play and watch. Kunz’s design for the obverse (heads) side features three players reaching for the ball in unison, reflecting how the sport of basketball has brought together diverse people around the world through a simple, universal and unifying athletic experience. It also includes a hoop rimming the edge, a net in the background and the inscriptions: LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2020. Read the full story at news.byu.edu.

What do legendary BYU basketball coach Stanley Watts, BYU All-American center Kresimir Cosic and current BYU illustration professor Justin Kunz have in common? All three have been part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.

For his 14th production at Tuacahn, Threlfall and his cast — which includes BYU alums — take a different approach to “The Sound of Music” BYU professor Tim Threlfall takes the stage at Tuacahn in St. George, Utah as director for the 14th time in his interpretation of “The Sound of Music.”

BYU student jazz group Synthesis traveled to the Caribbean to learn from native-Caribbean jazz legends and bless others through musical performances and service in the local communities The BYU jazz band Synthesis is known throughout the world for their performances that combine the best of swing, blues, jazz, Latin and fusion to create something truly spectacular. This summer, the group left Provo and headed to the Caribbean for the unique musical and service opportunities that awaited them in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. “This tour in the Caribbean helped me to see that people are people, and they love their culture and music,” said Beth Campbell, a vocalist in Synthesis. “It was amazing to see the kind of music and dancing that they enjoyed. I wish we experienced more of that in the United States!” In addition to sharing their musical talent with audience members, they were able to give service and interact with locals. During their time in the Dominican Republic, Synthesis members stopped at La Victoria National Penitentiary in Santo Domingo to render service. Six students from the group were chosen to perform various songs from their tour program to 300 inmates. After their performance, members of Synthesis passed out hygiene kits to the inmates who were touched by this gesture of goodwill and generosity. Read the full story at music.byu.edu.

BYU music student Christian Orme submitted an original composition to the 2019 Brock Competition for Student Composers and won second runner-up For BYU School of Music student Christian Orme, what began as a challenge from a friend to write an a cappella piece for BYU Singers has turned into an incredible opportunity to explore his identity as a musician and composer. After three days of composing in late April 2019, Orme finished “Hymn to the Night” at about 3:30 a.m. The composition was inspired by the text of the famous poem written by the nineteenth-century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “The melody and subsequent harmonies that serve as the foundational underpinnings of the composition came rather quickly,” said Orme. “I wanted to evoke the beauty of Longellow's words which personify the godly, peaceful and restorative presence that the night brings. As with all the music I compose and arrange, I seek to draw others closer to the divine by merging the various components of composition that I find most compelling and soul-expanding.” After the initial draft of the composition was done, Orme turned to BYU professor Andrew Crane for guidance and feedback because of Crane’s expertise in composing for choral groups. Read the full story at music.byu.edu.

McKenna Wright had an unexpected opportunity to speak the language she learned on a volunteer assignment for her church when BYU invited her to perform in China. Brigham Young University invited the Young Ambassadors, a dancing and singing group, to perform as part of the BYU Spectacular tour. Wright, who is a performer in the group, excitedly accepted the invitation. When Wright received her volunteer assignment to Taiwan in 2014, she had no idea that years later she would be going to China and have the opportunity to use the language she spoke while in Taiwan. While living in Taiwan, Wright enjoyed learning about the Taiwanese culture and studying Mandarin Chinese. She shared that it helped her develop a love for the Taiwanese and Chinese cultures, which gave her a desire to integrate them into her life after her volunteer experience was completed. “It was like a springboard where I was like, ‘Of course I want to make Chinese my minor at BYU,’” she said. “I want to learn everything I can and associate myself with people who are from China or Taiwan.” Read the full story at universe.byu.edu.

Thaylene Rogers succeeded Scott Boyter as Assistant Dean and Controller for the College of Fine Arts and Communications beginning September 2019. Rogers’ responsibilities include overseeing the college’s budgets and finances, as well as facilities. She also works directly with the business managers and accountants throughout the college. “I see my role as helping with whatever is needed in the college — working through resource issues to facilitate the wonderful creative work that goes on within the college,” said Rogers. Rogers received her degree in accounting in 1981 at BYU and returned to receive an executive MBA in 2015. She credits her time spent studying at BYU with opening doors to rewarding work and service opportunities throughout her life. After receiving her undergraduate degree in accounting, Rogers began working for Arthur Andersen & Co in both the Portland and San Francisco offices. She was a public accountant for the first five years of her career — primarily in tax practice — and then left the public sphere to do private industry work. Rogers chose to step back from her career for a time after the birth of her second child. She stayed current through financial volunteer work for local schools and community organizations. When the time was right, Rogers stepped back into the accounting world and began working as a CPA for various companies in Utah. Eventually, Rogers came back to BYU to work — drawn to the unique work environment at her alma mater. “There is a culture that respects and incorporates the sacred as we approach all aspects of our work,” said Rogers. Rogers began her BYU career in the financial office for Arts Production. After four years, she became the business manager for the Departments of Theatre and Media Arts, Art and Design — during which time she received her executive MBA. In 2015, Rogers accepted the position of Controller for BYU Technology Transfer. As the new Controller for the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Rogers specifically looks forward to the opportunity to serve those within the college. “The College of Fine Arts and Communications is a remarkable community,” said Rogers. “I’m inspired by the great work that comes out of this college. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute in my way to the impactful work produced. There’s something very special about the College of Fine Arts and Communications, and I feel blessed to be a part of it.”