school of music

Tickets to this winter’s BYU arts performances make the best Christmas gifts. And with 25 different events to choose from, you can sing, act or dance your way while you jingle all the way. Tickets for these performances are available for purchase through byuarts.com or by calling 801-422-2981.

Brigham Young University’s Vocal Point released a new song this week. “Drag Me Down+As Long As You Love Me MASHUP” was released first on their YouTube channel at https://goo.gl/R0Z53i.

The cows will never make it home this week, as Brigham Young’s Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band is accompanied by the infamous cow-pleasing quintet, The New Hot 5. The bands will come together to perform “A Night in New Orleans” featuring composition from legends such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Role Morton and more. The New Hot Five was organized by band director Steve Call and is composing entirely of alumni from the dixieland band. The quintet was formed in 2009 and in order to accept an offer the dixieland band had to decline to perform at the Jazz en Vercors Festival in the French Alps. In 2011, The New Hot Five became a viral phenomenon with “Jazz for Cows.' In the countryside of the alpine village of Autrans, France, a herd of cows was scattered around a large pasture next to the band’s scheduled venue. While the band set up, Call began to play his tuba for the widespread herd. “It was totally spontaneous.” Call told Good Things Utah. “While we started playing, the cows just starting coming towards us and they just stood there in rapture.” The rest of the band joined in as the majority of the herd gathered around the noise as if to listen. Call’s son Bruce filmed the cow crowd, and posted “Jazz Cows” to YouTube. The viral video quickly gave the quintet national attention as it received 13 million views, a spoof on The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, and an opportunity for a special performance of the band on Good Things Utah. The New Hot Five will perform alongside the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band on Thursday Nov. 5 in the de Jong Concert Hall. Download Program

The prestigious Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute selects only a handful of gifted young opera singers out of hundreds of applicants to receive private coaching, attend workshops and take part in master classes. This year, they have selected Brigham Young University master student in vocal performance, Dru Daniels, who has been chosen to participate in 'The Song Continues.' She will share the stage with the famed voices of Marilyn Horne, Stephanie Blythe and Sir Thomas Allen. Much of Daniels’ successful path to Carnegie can be traced back to the vocal training she received from faculty at BYU. One teacher, assistant professor of voice, Darrell Babidge, had his own Carnegie debut in 2004 and understood what Daniels would have to do to be ready for this program. “Dru has come a long way,” said Babidge. When she first arrived she had a few holes in her technique, and I have seen her work very hard to hone and polish these skills.” Babidge continues to train and work with students and alumni frequently. He assisted student, Rebecca Pederson as the second youngest ever to win the Metropolitan Opera Competition in 2013. Babidge understands the excellence of the Carnegie Hall program the intensive physical preparations one needs to sing, but he is confident in Daniels’ ability to perform. “Dru has worked really hard to get to this point,” said Babidge. “The week residency at Carnegie Hall will test her vocal and acting prowess, which she has learned so well at BYU.” While at BYU, Daniels has participated in several BYU productions including her performances as Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel and as Manon in the double-cast opera Manon. Daniels’ will be at Carnegie Hall January 18-23 in 2016.

Seduction, deceit, wild living, death. No, not the latest HBO Drama–these themes are just a few that the 11 student illustrators from BYU’s Senior Studio Design class attempted to capture for BYU’s upcoming performance of Manon, an opera about how the desire for fleeting pleasures results in one young woman’s regretful choices. Guiding the students through the process of creating the concert poster is Professor Robert Barrett. Barrett explained that his class is one of the last chances students will have before graduation to create commissioned pieces with a mentor. “It raises the level of expectation for the students. They work pretty hard on it,” said Barrett. “I think they put their best foot forward.” While not exactly a professional commission, the project gives students the experience of meeting a client’s expectations. Students consulted with opera director Lawrence Vincent and then researched the opera more themselves to best understand and portray its essence. More>>>>

Brigham Young University’s nine-man a cappella group, BYU Vocal Point, will be releasing an album dedicated to Christmas songs on Friday, Oct. 9 during the BYU homecoming festivities. Members of Vocal Point will be at the BYU Store for CD signings from 2-3 p.m. that day.

A carillon recital featuring all three of BYU’s faculty carillonneurs—Don Cook, Brian Mathias, and Neil Thornock—joined by BYU choreographer Kate Monson and company, and featuring a specially commissioned work by BYU alumnus composer Curtis Smith for carillon and Gamelan Bintang Wahyu. This performance takes place rain or shine. Find a spot of grass at the north end of campus and enjoy! DETAILS Date: September 30 Time: 6:00 PM Event Categories: Free Event, Instrumental, Music Event Tags: BYU School of Music Cost: Free

Brigham Young University’s Men’s Chorus, Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and BYU Singers will present their Fall Choral Showcase in the de Jong Concert Hall on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $6 with discounts available for alumni, seniors, employees and students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or by visiting byuarts.com. These newly auditioned choirs perform together for the first time this season as they sing classical and contemporary choral works both sacred and secular. “As this is a showcase, the program is enormously varied from everything such as a Dolly Parton song to solidly, classical, choral pieces,” said Rosalind Hall, director of Men’s Chorus and Concert Choir. The BYU choirs offer all students on campus an opportunity for training, experience and personal growth in choral singing. Conductors include Rosalind Hall, Men’s Chorus and Concert Choir; Jean Applonie, Women’s Chorus; and Andrew Crane, the new director of the BYU Singers. Tickets and Show Details Performance Date: Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $6 (with discounts for seniors, BYU students, employees and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

The Brigham Young University BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts series presents Kelli O’Hara, Tony Award—winning Broadway star of “The King and I,” in the de Jong Concert Hall on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $25-55, with discounts available for alumni, seniors and students.

Claudine Bigelow, BYU professor of viola, the associate director of the school of music and the graduate coordinator, will deliver the devotional address this Tuesday, August 4, at the de Jong Concert Hall. In her address Bigelow will explore the topic of creativity and the spiritual connection it can help us have with our Heavenly Father. While it's an attribute we often associate with the arts, it's an important tool for finding our inner artist for every discipline at BYU. The scriptures teach us Heavenly Father is a deeply creative being, and He has made us to be that way too. Creativity helps us bring light to the world, our relationships, and find deep and satisfying joy. Bigelow has taken her gifts in music all over the world, performing in Europe and New Zealand, and furthering her study. She has also played with National and Utah Symphonies, national Chamber Orchestra and at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. She began playing the viola at age 14 but has been around music her whole life. When she was a baby her father played guitar every night. She then picked up the piano in third grade and played for her church as a teenager on a regular basis. At the age of 14 she was given the opportunity to attend a music summer camp with some of the greatest musical instructors of the day including Dr. Shinchi Suzuki, if she learned the viola. Since then Bigelow has dedicated her life to music and improving her talents through research and practice. “Music isn’t for showing that you’re talented or the best at something, because someone will always be better,” Bigelow says. “Music is for communicating love. Music can be one of the highest forms of spiritual communication.” READ MORE ABOUT CLAUDINE: Devotional info link: https://home.byu.edu/home/calendar/28717 Claudine and Guest artist perform http://music.byu.edu/2013/09/05/claudine-bigelow-guest-artist-to-perform-bartok-during-sept-7-recital/ Wiki: http://history.cfac.byu.edu/index.php/Claudine_Bigelow

Three leading female soloists across three different fields of music – Renee Fleming, Kelli O’Hara and Nnenna Freelon – will headline the BYU Bravo! 2015-16 Performing Arts series.

Kirt Saville, BYU professor of music education and the associate director of bands at Brigham Young University, was named as the new director of the BYU School of Music. Ed Adams, incoming dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, made the announcement today in a School of Music faculty meeting. Saville begins his three-year term immediately, replacing outgoing director Kory Katseanes. “I’ve known Kirt since he’s arrived at BYU,” said Adams. “We’ve interacted on a variety of levels. Kirt has my confidence as Director of the School of Music. I appreciate his willingness to accept the position as director and wish him and his colleagues every success moving forward.” From the start of his career at BYU in 2008, Saville has involved himself deeply in the School of Music operations. He helped lead in the review and revamp of the music minor and graduate music education curriculum, as well in the curriculum redesign of other courses. Before arriving at BYU, he served 15 years as a department chair at Washburn University. “I’m thrilled to be at BYU. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” commented Saville after the announcement. “I know that as the director of the School of Music there is a certain balancing act that has to go on between all of the interests and all of the excitement and all of the energy that comes up from the faculty–and from the administration that comes down. Somewhere right there in the middle of that hourglass is the director.” Adams also praised Katseanes for his two terms as director of the School of Music and his dedicated efforts to further the work of the School during his tenure. “Kory has been a remarkable effective advocate for and representative of the School during a period of tremendous accomplishment and growth,” said Adams. “He has been a successful leader in so many ways including chartering an inspiring vision for the School of Music, raising money and raising the awareness of the School to the various publics. The impressive results will have a lasting impact on faculty and students for years to come.' Katseanes was invited by Adams to share a few words during the meeting. Katseanes praised his colleagues in the School of Music office and on the executive committee. “Without the associate directors and those people who are running the affairs of the School, the director couldn’t survive. It’s too big. It’s too big,' remarked Katseanes. “In many universities, this is a college, not a department. That’s the complexity of this, but it runs because there are so many good people who do such good work.” Stephen Jones, outgoing dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, presided at the meeting and praised the School of Music faculty for their part in the selection of a new director.

His first week teaching full time at BYU, opera baritone and associate music professor Darrell G. Babidge (MM ’99) worried he might feel claustrophobic. As a performer, his voice had taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and other renowned stages.

BYU’s premier a cappella group recognized for best male collegiate album and best religious song in prestigious a cappella recording awards

Synthesis, the BYU School of Music’s big band jazz ensemble, presents Velvet Fog: The Life and Music of Mel Torme, with special guest Mark Stevens. Velvet Fog is a tribute to Mel Tormé, written and performed by Mark Stevens. Mel Tormé was a fabulous entertainer and Stevens weaves a delightful tale around him. Velvet Fog was originally a one-man show with Stevens accompanying himself on piano, but Stevens realized, “With every performance, I knew the music was missing something. Then it hit me! Where was Mel most at home? Where did he do his greatest work? With a big band, of course!” Mark Stevens now performs Velvet Fog accompanied by a 17 piece big band.

The Brigham Young University School of Music presents renowned cellist Lynn Harrell in concert with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra Tuesday, Mar. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, and Wednesday, Mar. 18, at 8:00 p.m. in Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City. Tickets for the Mar. 17 performance are $15, with discounts available for seniors, alumni and students, and can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or online at byuarts.com. Tickets for the Mar. 18 concert are free and will be available in the Abravanel Hall lobby the evening of the performance. Lynn Harrell is a Grammy Award-winning American classical cellist who has played as a special guest with orchestras in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Harrell received his training at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School before going on to play with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal Academy of Music in London and teaching at the USC Thorton School of Music. Harrell currently tours the globe as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor and teacher. Harrell and the Philharmonic Orchestra will perform “Overture to Benvenuto Cellini” from Hector Berlioz, “Don Juan” from Richard Strauss and “Cello Concerto in B Minor” from Antonin Dvorak. The Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Kory Katseanes, plays compositions from all musical periods, focusing on the romantic period but also including 20th- and 21st-century music. Nearly 100 of the university's finest musicians bring these great symphonic works to life. The performance is sponsored by BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU, the university’s concert series that plays host to many world-renowned guest artists from across the globe. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at 801.422.9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates: March 17, 2015 Times: 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $15 (discounts available for students, alumni and seniors) Tickets: Available at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or visit byuarts.com

The Brigham Young University BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series presents an evening with The King’s Singers in the de Jong Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-40, with discounts available alumni, seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or online at byuarts.com. The group will perform songs from the great American songbook, featuring the works of Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin and others. A few of the classics they will present include “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “Cheek to Cheek” and “I’ve Got The World On a String.” The King’s Singers, recent inductees to the Gramophone Hall of Fame and winners of multiple Grammy Awards, have been considered one of the highest-caliber a cappella groups since the group’s formation at King’s College, Cambridge, in 1968. Now comprised of countertenor David Hurley, countertenor Timothy Wayne-Wright, tenor Julian Gregory, baritone Christopher Bruerton, baritone Christopher Gabbitas and bass Jonathan Howard, The King’s Singers continue to be one of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world. The King’s Singers are touring across the globe and have recently performed at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Washington National Cathedral, the Grand Philharmonic Hall of St. Petersburg and are scheduled to perform later this year in the major halls of Berlin, Milan, Turin, Venice, Rome, Amsterdam and Cambridge. The group also performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 2007 and in 2002 as part of the Winter Olympic Games Cultural Olympiad in Salt Lake City. The performance is sponsored by BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU, the university’s concert series that plays host to many world-renowned guest artists from across the globe. Tickets and Show Details Date: Feb. 27-28, 2015 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $25-40 (discounts available for students, alumni and seniors) Tickets: Available at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or visit byuarts.com Source: BYU News

This Christmas eve marks 100 years since a Christmas truce took place on Flanders Fields in Belgium during World War I. BYU students collaborated to write, produce, photograph, edit and compose for a video to commemorate the event. The video is hosted by the nondenomenational, interfaith group Faith Counts. 'The story of The Christmas Truce of 1914 has been told and retold over the past century, and deservedly so,' said Faith Counts spokesperson Kerry Troup. 'It is a true story of how faith has the power to bring hope, even in the darkest times. The video that the students of BYU, one of our many faith partners, have produced showcases this story in a beautiful, creative way that we know others will enjoy and hopefully share.' Graphic design and animation students used original photography from that day in 1914, enhancing and adding motion in the video. Film students spent time in Belgium shooting the video from current-day Flanders Fields earlier this month. The BYU Men's Chorus composed and sang a special arrangement of Silent Night, a song that was sung during the Christmas truce. “FaithCounts works with a variety of content creating partners from many faiths,' Troup said. 'We’ve been very impressed with the BYU students’ creativity, professionalism and ability to give voice to stories of faith in profound and innovative ways.” The project was coordinated and organized at BYU through the Laycock Center for Creative Collaboration, with the cooperation of Don Mullan, creator of the Christmas Truce and Flanders Peace Field Project. Download the BYU Men's Chorus Silent Night soundtrack Play the BYU Men's Chorus Silent Night soundtrack See more at BYU News>>>>