Performing Arts

The video series provides information about the history behind Latin American, Polynesian and Native American danceThe choreography and regalia featured in BYU Living Legends productions are derived from revered histories and origins. In an effort to share these legends, the company has initiated a new video series explaining the dances and regalia.“We not only want to further explain the legends or origin stories of the dances,” said Shanoah Zendejas, the Living Legends’ social media manager and assistant to their tour coordinator, “but also want to explain the significance of what the dancers wear. Living Legends has had the unique opportunity to help educate people from various backgrounds about the cultures they represent. We wanted to share that same opportunity with our online audience, whether they have the opportunity to see the show live or not.”The idea for this explanation video series was conceived a few years ago during the company’s tour to Tonga, New Zealand and Samoa. A member of the group suggested they do a series explaining the dances, especially those that were not Polynesian, in order to connect their audience members who were less familiar with Latin American and Native American dance.Zendejas explained that the “Seasons” production has brief explanations for each dance during the performances, but there are deeper histories and stories connected to the choreography and regalia. The introduction of a video series has made them able to turn this desire into a reality. They produced their first video of the series, featuring the Native American Grass regalia and dance, this past November. “We were wrapping up Native American Heritage Month and had the opportunity to do a fun video for the Rock Your Mocs Movement, and that's when we started filming for the series,” said Zendejas.The grass dance is featured in the 'Season of Rebirth' section of “Seasons”. The story of the Native American Grass Dance is a story of healing. Because the New Year was just weeks away, and with the story in mind, the company members could not think of a better dance to start the series off with.“We also wanted to make sure that we explained the meaning of the regalia, or what the dancers wear. Everything has a purpose in Native American culture. That is why people wearing feathers and headdresses as costumes is such a big deal to Native Americans. Every part of the regalia and the way they dance has meaning to it. We wanted to honor and show respect to the Native American culture and dance.”Zendejas emphasized that a big purpose for this video series is to encourage young audience members to learn more about and understand their own culture. She shared that many members of Living Legends, and many youth, grow up not knowing much about their culture and the ensemble has provided a way for them to learn about their own culture and others as well. The company wants to encourage anyone and everyone to learn more about their culture and where they come from.“We want to explain more dances this year, and in years to come, to our audience,” said Zendejas. “Audiences can look forward to learning more about all of the cultures we represent and their people's history as well as more about the meaning of our numbers and why they belong in certain ‘seasons.’ In the next few weeks, we will be releasing a video explaining the Maori Haka that is performed in our show.”To follow the video series, follow BYU Living Legends on Facebook.

BYU’s all-female a capella group Noteworthy is set to release their newest music video on Feb. 14 on the group’s YouTube channel. The video will feature a cover of Michael Bublé’s song “Feeling Good.”Noteworthy director Keith Evans said, “the music video’s release on Valentine’s is a perfect fit.” The lyrics of the song focus on enjoying the little things and choosing to start afresh with a positive outlook on life. Evans said, “Not only are the lyrics of the song empowering, but also the story behind the creation of the video is as well. Our adaptation of 'Feeling Good' is meant to embrace strong, powerful femininity. To do this, Noteworthy members took the lead on this project from concept to direction, capturing the group's unique grace and confidence.” Evans hopes that if anyone is feeling down this Valentine’s Day, Noteworthy’s new music video will be an instant way to “feel good.”

Vocal Point is seeking a hard-working, qualified student to join the group as the beat boxer/vocal percussionist. If accepted, you would begin immediately. Auditions will take place on Wednesday, January 6, from 1:30-3:30 pm in HFAC C130 (de Jong Green Room). To audition, go to the link below and click 'sign up' next to your desired time. You will be asked to enter your name, email, and cell phone number (you do not need to sign up for an account).ONLINE SIGN UP SHEET: http://goo.gl/6Ja1rCOn audition day, please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out an audition form. We will audition two people every 10 minutes. Come warmed up and prepared with:1. 30-second beat box solo (show us what you've got!)2. the ability to show grooves from different styles and genres (rock,jazz, pop, etc.)3. 30-second vocal solo in any contemporary style (no musical theater)Those wishing to audition must be full-time BYU students as of January 2016. Any questions can be directed to vocalpoint@byu.edu.

Brigham Young University’s nine-man a cappella ensemble Vocal Point will celebrate 15 years of performing with vocal rhythms and harmonious melodies Saturday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.Tickets are $9 or $6 with BYU or student ID. To purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or visit performances.byu.edu.Vocal Point combines vocal percussion and harmony to perform music ranging from pop to country and jazz to rock. The performance will feature a variety of styles and songs, including “Spiderman,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Thriller,” “It’s My Life” and “Praise to the Man.” The evening will also highlight Vocal Point alumni in attendance.Directed by James Stevens, Vocal Point includes performers Buck Mangum, David Anderson, Jimmy Dunn, Josh Rich, Ricky Parkinson, Ryan Innes, Jordan Keith, JJ Haines and Dan Cahoon.“Vocal Point has developed from a couple of guys trying to sing to a group performing for more than 60,000 people each year,” Stevens said. “Our mission includes spreading good news, representing BYU values and showing youth that singing can be cool.”The group was founded in 1991 as a private venture by Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce. Vocal Point became a BYU School of Music performing group in 1994.Since that time, Vocal Point has become the most requested performance group at BYU, performing for more people each year than all other university-sponsored performing groups combined.Vocal Point has earned its way twice in the past four years to the finals of the International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella, the premier competition for university-level a cappella groups in North America. The Faith Centered Music Association awarded the group three Pearl Awards for their latest CD, “Standing Room Only.”For more information, contact Alex Leeman at (801) 628-3861.Source: BYU News

Vocal Point, Brigham Young University's nine-man pop a cappella group, will combine harmony, humor and remarkable vocal percussion in a performance Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.