In 1979 the Young Ambassadors became one of the first American groups to travel to China after diplomatic recognition between the two countries. This spring the Young Ambassadors will return to China for the eighth time. Their three-week tour, from April 27 to May 20, will include cities the group initially visited in 1979–Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong–and also Tianjin, Jinan, Hefei, and Xi’an. The Young Ambassadors received significant media attention during their previous tours, including a 2007 documentary aired by China Central TV explaining the history of the Young Ambassadors in China and the relationships that have since developed. During their first China tour in 1979, the Young Ambassadors gave a private performance for 15 high government officials. The reaction of those officials would determine the extent to which the group would perform while in China. At the end of that show, artistic director of the Young Ambassadors Randy Boothe recalled the Chinese officials announcing, “Tonight the Young Ambassadors will perform in the Red Tower Theatre,” which at the time was the most prestigious theatre in Beijing. Through their joint efforts with the Chinese Performing Arts Agency, the Young Ambassador’s have presented throughout China. During this next tour the Young Ambassadors will join the Beijing Dance Academy, one of the most prestigious dance schools in China, for a performance. They will also return to the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which they last attended in 2005. Representatives from BYU and China have developed strong friendships from such regular interaction over the years and look forward to working together again. “Our friends in China have always welcomed us with open arms,” said Boothe. “Returning to China is a dream come true, and we look forward to making new friends as we share our unique brand of family entertainment through the best of America’s music and dance.” The Young Ambassadors certainly bring a style of music unique to American musical theatre and radio. Harmony showcases music from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Dreamgirls, and Carousel, as well as popular songs by Michael Bublé, the Gershwin brothers, and Benny Goodman. The Young Ambassadors are making every effort to communicate clearly with their Chinese audiences. The lyrics will have Mandarin supertitles and the video will have a Chinese voice-over. In addition to their very American-style music, the Young Ambassadors are also preparing an original piece for their Chinese audience titled “Take a Step,” composed by Boothe and Stephen Jones, dean of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications, with choreography by Jiamin Huang, a former student of the Beijing Dance Academy. According to Boothe, “this is a tribute to our friends in China, showing the deep respect we have for them and their commitment to family values.” Set during the Chinese New Year, the piece tells the story of a young couple sharing a message of strength and the importance of family with their infant–then hearing the same message retold by the couple’s ancestors. Chris Udall, a soloist for “Take a Step,” looks forward to sharing the message of family with Chinese audiences. “The entire message of the Young Ambassadors show is about the importance of families,” he said. “I hope the message can touch their hearts and strengthen their family bonds.” The Young Ambassadors have a Pacific Northwest midsemester tour before they cross the ocean in April. From February 22 to March 2, they will perform in Idaho (Nampa), Washington (Richland, Everett, Marysville, Kent, Bremerton, and Olympia), and Oregon (Hillsboro). Watch KSL's feature on Young Ambassadors here. Source: BYU Performing Arts Management

Brigham Young University faculty pianist Jeffrey Shumway will perform with guest artist Del Parkinson from Boise State University as the American Piano Duo Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The concert is sponsored by BYU’s School of Music, and admission is free.

Popular Disney Channel show with Genevieve Goings, Constantine “DC” Abramson “Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!”, a Disney Channel showcase starring singer Genevieve Goings as a hip-hop train conductor and Constantine “DC” Abramson as a dancing and beat-boxing railroad engineer, will perform at Brigham Young University Saturday, May 4, at 2 and 6 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Please note that a previously posted calendar and release listed the second showing as starting at 7 p.m. It will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children age 2-11 or those with a BYU ID. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 orbyuarts.com/tickets. This music concert will take the audience through fantastical lands while singing soulful, contemporary and kid-friendly hip-hop songs about the ABCs, 1-2-3s, and learning how to be polite. It promises to be fun for the whole family. In 2007,“Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!” was honored with a Parents’ Choice Award for children’s television programming. 'Choo-Choo Soul' has become well known in concert, performing at Walt Disney World with the “Disney Music Block Party” tour and the “Target's Festival of Books” tour in many cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. For more information on “Choo-Choo Soul,” visitdisney.go.com/disneyjunior/choo-choo-soul. For more information on the BYU concert, contact Ken Crossley, (801) 422-9348, ken_crossley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News

The Society of Professional Journalists recognized BYU’s The Universe and ElevenNEWS in its annual Mark of Excellence competition.

Julianne Horsley reports on the BYU Men's Chorus recent launch of their new free SET APART: Beloved Missionary Hymns album.

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Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the nation, but is especially prevalent in Utah. An art show responding to this epidemic will take place on Friday, April 12 when six local artists showcase works about prescription drug abuse at the “Rx Art Show.” The show is sponsored by the BYU Department of Visual Arts.The art show will take place at The Consignment Store located at 148 W 600 S Provo. Art pieces seek to communicate the gravity of the prescription drug abuse issue, as well as provide serious and uplifting art pieces highlighting important information the public should know.The show will feature works by local artists Maggie Golightly, Dylan Burt, Natalie Wood, Raphael Morin, Tiana Birrell and Summer Ellison. The event is free and light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.Read more about people whose lives have been affected here: http://letgo2013.tumblr.com/#/#Also follow Let Go on Pinterest for helpful information regarding prescription drug addiction: http://pinterest.com/letgobyu/ Read the Universe article

The BYU Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” by performing it for delighted audiences in the Harris Fine Arts Center. Fans of classical music filled the de Jong Concert Hall to listen to BYU’s premier orchestral group in its last performance of the semester.

The Brigham Young University School of Music is offering a selection of end-of-the- semester concerts April 9-16. Tickets for these events are available the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 or at byuarts.com/tickets. Two sections of BYU’s band ensemble University Band will perform in concert Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Led by conductors Laurisa Christofferson and Fred McInnis, the bands will perform the music of Gustav Holst, Johann de Meij, Franz von Suppe, Zo Elliott and others. BYU’s University Orchestra and University Strings will perform Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Graduate students majoring in instrumental orchestral conducting conduct the University Orchestra and University Strings. Led by conductor of Donald Peterson, the Wind Symphony will present “Wind Band Potpourri” Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The Wind Symphony will be joined by faculty guest conductor Kirt Saville and guest soloist Manuel Delgado as they present the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Morton Gould, Leonard Bernstein and others. The two sections of University Chorale will combine for a concert Tuesday, Apr 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Under the direction of Patrick Tatman and Leland Spindler, the program will feature the music of Felix Mendelssohn, William Billings and Eric Whitacre. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu.

The Brigham Young University School of Music will host 'An Evening of Percussion' Friday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The event will feature performances by the Percussion Ensemble and Panoramic Steel directed by Ron Brough and Gamelan Bintang Wahyu directed by Jeremy Grimshaw.

The Brigham Young University School of Music will present a collection of jazz concerts April 10-13. Tickets for the concerts are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 or at byuarts.com/tickets, unless otherwise noted. Jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon will perform with Synthesis under the direction of Ray Smith Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Wycliffe is an award-winning musician who has held the Jazz Journalists Association’s title of “Trombonist of the Year” seven times in the last decade. Wycliffe serves on the faculty of the Jazz Arts Program at the Manhattan School of Music. Directed by Allen Matthews, Jazz Voices will perform Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. They will present a diverse set of jazz standards including “Blues Walk” by Clifford Brown; hymn arrangements such as “Come, Come Ye Saints;” and new arrangements of hit songs from ABBA, Paul Simon and Jason Mraz. Trombone artist Wycliffe Gordon will return to the BYU stage withJazz Legacy Dixieland Band, Thursday, April 11, at 9:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall to present an evening of New Orleans jazz. Under the direction of Steve Call, they will play tunes by Louis Armstrong, W. C. Handy, Duke Ellington and others. This performance is free and no tickets are required. The Jazz Lab Band, a student ensemble, will perform Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission to the event is free. For more information on Gordon Wycliffe, visit wycliffegordon.com. For more information about the concerts, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu.

Annual student-produced, student-created film showcase The popular Final Cut Film Festival is returning to Brigham Young University Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. each night in the Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center. Tickets cost $5 and are available now at the Fine Arts Ticket Office,byuarts.com/tickets or (801) 422-4322. Final Cut is a student-produced, student-created film showcase sponsored by the Theatre and Media Arts Department in cooperation with the Student Film Association. Two separate programs, which feature alternate screening schedules so that everyone can see every film, will be featured both nights. “Program A” will be shown Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., while “Program B” will be shown Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Visit BYUFinalCut.com for more information or contact Kyle Stapley, media arts administrative assistant, at (801) 422-4576 or kyle_stapley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News