PROVO, Utah -- Brigham Young University’s celebrated male a cappella group, BYU Vocal Point, is following up on their best-selling album of hymns and inspirational songs, Lead Thou Me On, with an all-new contemporary album. Released today, April 8, Spectrum showcases the group’s signature take on popular songs from yesterday and today. The album is produced by BYU Records.

BYU DEPT. OF THEATRE AND MEDIA ARTS and STUDENT FILM ASSOCIATION PRESENT FINAL CUT FILM FESTIVAL April 11–12 Pardoe Theatre This student-produced, student-created film festival features a collection of the best student-made fiction films, documentaries, commercials, animations, and more. Two separate programs will be featured: Program A: April 11 at 6:30 PM and April 12 at 8:30 PM Program B: April 11 at 8:30 PM and April 12 at 6:30 PM The awards ceremony will take place at 10:15 PM on Saturday, April 12, following the 8:30 PM screening of Program A. Tickets are not required for the awards ceremony, but tickets are required for the 8:30 PM screening. Program A (Fridal at 6:30 and Saturday at 8:30) Belfast and Furious The World Is Our Campus Christmas in L.A. Headliner Turn to Stone Beehive Stories: Morgan County Brita Spec Ad Not Kabob Bothered Brainsaver Christmas in L.A.: Behind the Scenes Harmonica Good Luck Don’t Wake up with a Hook For a Hand Without a Rope Program B (Friday at 8:20 and Saturday at 6:30) Ice Hotel “Arrows” Our Community Wilhelm Scream Ice Hotel “Arrows” Behind the Scenes Weeping Historical Fencing: Franco Belgium Beehive Stories: Kane County Adpot a Cat Wyrm Laerd Your Cocoon and You Sides of a Camera Owned A Sticky Situation Ghosts on the Mountain

On what seemed like a normal day in the 1990s, Jim Barnes’ infant daughter passed away. This father experienced, as all would, terrible grief, followed by resentment and frustration. As peace began to return to his life, Barnes cathartically created what has been lovingly called “The Tragic,” a four-movement symphony that details his emotions while accepting the death of his daughter and eventually the joy of welcoming a newborn son into his family. On April 10, the BYU Wind Symphony will take its audience through this emotional venture. Under the tutelage of Donald Peterson, Director of the Wind Symphony, these students will connect with the audience in a more emotional way than many expect from band music. “It’s a pretty poignant musical journey. One thing that’s appealed to the students is that we’ve all been depressed or had dark times before,” Peterson said. “But I think most of them would say this music is a gift and provides a way to help feel emotions even stronger.” Peterson said the students are prepared for this advanced composition. “The piece was written for the Air Force Band in Washington D.C., so it’s written for professionals,” Peterson said. “But our band members are ready for it. It’s not only enriching their personal lives, but their music education as well.” The Wind Symphony rehearses twice per week, and normally prepares for music typical of concert band, like military marches and other shorter arrangements. Catelyn Gentry, a member of the Wind Symphony for four years, said that the preparation for this special piece has been invigorating. “The first thing that makes it really difficult is it’s almost 40-minutes long, and each of the four movements is so intensely focused on different emotions,” Gentry said. “So whatever you put into one movement isn’t what you’ll put into the next. It’s emotionally draining.” McKay Heaton, Wind Symphony Band President, noted that preparing to play Barnes’ “Tragic” Symphony is proving to have a long-term affect on the band. “Learning about what the composer thought for each movement and realizing how significant it was to him is amazing,” Heaton said. “And then trying to connect with the piece emotionally on that level has brought us closer together as a band.” Heaton said he and other members of the band are excited to share this beautiful work with their audience. “With each of the movements in this piece, there is quite a bit of meaning,” Heaton said. “I hope that we can help the audience feel that.” Tickets for the Wind Symphony’s upcoming concert are available at arts.byu.edu.

BYU female broadcasters win three of nine student awards, continue winning tradition Three Brigham Young University broadcasting students have carried on an award-winning tradition, recently receiving national recognition as student winners in the Gracie Awards. Julianne Horsley, Mary Blanchard and Danielle Ycmat Jansson won three of the nine available awards for students. Other student winners were from schools such as Fordham, Hofstra and George Washington universities. BYU was the only school to have three or more winners. The Gracie Awards highlight outstanding work in television programming created for women, by women and about women. Past professional winners include Tina Fey, Katie Couric and Barbara Walters. The three BYU students now join the ranks of those big names, along with the many BYU winners that have come before them. BYU’s student journalists have a history of doing well in the Gracie Awards. “From the beginning of the program, our professors expect us to be professionals,” Horsley said. “They hold us to the same standards as they would at your first job. It was really hard, but I’m glad they did.” Horsley won the Gracie for best anchor, Blanchard for best sports host and Jansson for best news producer. The students said the hands-on experience they received in the newsroom was specifically beneficial in preparing them for work in the industry. Blanchard said her experiences and watching past students win Gracie Awards helped her produce high-quality work. “Past students kind of set a precedent that you don’t want to be anything less than the best,” she said. Kristine Pratt is one of those past students and won a Gracie Award for Outstanding Director just after she graduated in 2010. She’s now a news producer at KSL 5 in Salt Lake City. “I certainly consider my Gracie Award to be one of my greatest accomplishments, and it gave me, as a college graduate, an extra push to launch into the job world with confidence,” Pratt said. Chad Curtis, BYU’s broadcast news manager, echoed Pratt’s sentiment about the impact of these awards. “It’s empowering for our female students to enter their work in a nationwide competition that emphasizes the professional contributions of women in the media,” Curtis said. “It is then extra gratifying to have their work honored by the Gracies’ judges as being worthy of praise.” Horsley is now working in marketing and communications for Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City. Blanchard and Jansson will both complete internships this summer and graduate in August, before looking at entering the world of professional broadcasting. About the Gracie Awards: Established in 1975, the Gracie Awards is an annual competition that recognizes the highest quality programming for women, by women and about women in the media and entertainment industry. The Gracie Awards are presented by the Alliance in Media Foundation, which supports education, charity, public service and scholarships that benefit women in the media. Source: BYU News

Tickets for all events are available at Fine Arts Ticket Office, 801-422-2981 or byuarts.com/tickets.

Nineteen dancers lie sprawled out on the floor, a highly unusual sight in a typical dance class. The adroit teacher circled the group with perfect posture, walking as gracefully and carefully as a lion. The dancers immediately sat up and watched carefully as the master demonstrated his literally groundbreaking poses and stretches on the ground.

Any wanderer will tell you that there is something magical about discovering new places and old traditions.

This summer the department of communications will be hosting the YCreate Summer Camp program for high school students who are interested in future study with BYU's communications department. A huge perk for those who plan on enrolling for this upcoming summer is the new registation price of $245, which includes lunches, an opening social and a closing banquet. Students who participate will have the chance to be lectured by some of the leading professionals in the fields of public relations, journalism, advertising, and digital media. Registration is currently open for the week of June 23-27, 2014. Home stays are also being arranged for minority students who are interested in participating. For more information on the program or to enroll, visit the YCreate website by clicking here.

It’s 10 p.m. in a bitterly cold New York City. As light and excitement pour out from the windows of a late-night diner, a growing crowd flows into the establishment. Inside, surrounded by dozens of his former BYU students, sits Randy Boothe. It is Boothe’s last night in the city, and he makes it a point to take advantage of every chance to catch up with his graduates.

The appeal to spread the gospel has been heard by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints far and wide, yet perhaps one of the most creative groups to answer the prophets’ call is BYU’s Living Legends.

Ethan Parry was selected to be the 2014-2015 VP of Public Relations for PRSSA.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Dance will present “A Showcase of New Work” during the dancEnsemble winter concert Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Richards Building Dance Studio Theatre. A special 2 p.m. matinee performance will be held on Saturday, March 22.