vocal point

Vocal Point, Brigham Young University’s celebrated male a cappella group, will perform in concert at the Covey Center for the Arts on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

As part of BYU’s 2012 centennial celebration of the Karl G. Maeser building, the university will honor the venerable structure during Homecoming 2012 and Homecoming Spectacular, scheduled Oct. 11 and 12 in the Marriott Center, will build its show around the Maeser Building in a lively Homecoming Spectacular concert that features six of BYU’s premiere performing groups.

After a successful seven weeks of competing on NBC’s The Sing-Off, Vocal Point finally faced elimination from the a cappella competition and had to sing their swan song. Their catchy arrangements of popular songs, impressive vocal abilities, and outgoing personalities helped them gain a strong fan base. The group’s popularity with viewers landed them an invitation back to the television stage for the special episode “A Sing-Off Christmas,” where they sang “Let It Snow” with show host Nick Lachey.

Winterfest 2012 is bringing Brigham Young University's internationally acclaimed performance groups, including Vocal Point, the Young Ambassadors and Theatre Ballet, to the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City over the course of several weekends.

After delighting celebrity judges and nationwide viewers weekly this fall, BYU's Vocal Point concluded its run in NBC's 'The Sing-Off.' Four other a cappella groups advanced.

BYU's male a cappella group Vocal Point was a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n roll Monday night on NBC's 'The Sing-Off.' With two successful performances from completely different genres, the guys advanced to compete in the top five.

BYU's male a cappella team Vocal Point earned their spot in the final six groups on NBC's 'The Sing-Off' through their performance Monday night. Judges and the studio audience loved their dynamic and hip-swinging medley of Elvis Presley hits.

BYU's male a cappella group Vocal Point returned to compete in the Top 10 of NBC's 'The Sing-Off' on Monday. After their classic rock 'n roll performance, the judges had only positive things to say, and they will be continuing onto the next round of the competition.

BYU's male a cappella group Vocal Point returned to NBC's 'The Sing-Off' in strong fashion on Monday.

This fall Vocal Point is sharing their passion for maximum a cappella with millions of viewers through participation in NBC’s The Sing-Off. BYU’s all-male a cappella sensation is one of 16 groups featured on the third season of the hit TV show hosted by Nick Lachey with judges Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles, and Shawn Stockman.

Performing before a sold-out audience at the Lincoln Center in New York City, Brigham Young University's premier contemporary a cappella ensemble Vocal Point finished first runner-up at the finals of the 2011 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Despite coming up just short for the overall award, Vocal Point did take top honors in several individual award categories. Sophomore Jake Hunsaker was recognized as Outstanding Soloist for his rendition of 'Meglio Stasera (It Had Better Be Tonight),' a tune recently made popular by Michael Bublé. In addition, junior Tanner Nilsson received the award for Outstanding Vocal Percussion. Vocal Point entered the finals as the top group in the West Region, having placed first in its quarterfinal and semifinal qualifying rounds held in Eugene, Ore., and Los Angeles, Calif., respectively. The finals featured the top seven qualifiers from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Vocal Point was edged out by a group from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., known as Pitch Slapped. This year's competition started with a field of more than 150 groups from around the world. 'Every group on stage tonight was amazing,' said Vocal Point director James Stevens. 'We performed as well as we ever have. I'm proud of our guys for the way they represented BYU.' Vocal Point won the ICCA championship in 2006. The group qualified for the finals on two prior occasions but was unable to compete because the final round at the time was held on a Sunday. This year marked the group's second return to the championship round in New York. 'We'll be back,' said senior McKay Crockett. 'One of our goals every year is to make the finals. We're thrilled to have made it this year, and it was an honor to share a stage with these other amazing groups.' Vocal Point celebrated its 20th anniversary in March, complete with a reunion concert featuring 70-plus Vocal Point singers from 1991 to the present. The group's two founders, Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce, were in the audience Saturday night. 'This year has been real special for Vocal Point,' said Ahlander. 'A month ago the original guys that started the group in 1991 got to sing together again, along with all the alumni through the years. Now we see the current group and how far they've come. It's a thrill.' Vocal Point is a part of the School of Music at BYU and one of 18 performing groups sponsored by the university. It is the most-requested performing group at BYU and regularly performs to sold-out crowds on and off campus. Members of Vocal Point devote 10-20 hours of time to the group each week. They do not receive scholarships or other compensation for their time. Photographs and video clips available upon request. Please contact Alex Leeman at (801) 628-3861 or alex.leeman@hotmail.com. Source: BYU News

Brigham Young University's nine-man a cappella singing group, Vocal Point, brought alumni members back together for its 20th anniversary celebration in a reunion concert in early March at the Covey Center for the Arts. The show featured all nine founding members from the 1991 group, along with about 70 of their successors. Although Vocal Point had reunion concerts to mark its 10th and 15th years, this was the first time that the founding lineup had sung together since graduating from BYU. Vocal Point was founded in 1991 by Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce while both were students at BYU. 'We were looking for a singing outlet that was maybe a bit outside the BYU norm,' Ahlander said. 'We wanted to do something BYU had never seen before.' The group takes songs heard on the radio, retools them and delivers a new rendition with voices alone — complete with all the complex percussion and instrumentation found in the originals. Started in the tradition of Ivy League glee clubs, Vocal Point has developed a varied repertoire of rock, pop, country, jazz, spiritual and R&B styles, all produced in the group's unique style. Vocal Point was originally intended to be a double-quartet with just eight members. However, at the conclusion of the first auditions, Ahlander and Boyce found themselves unable to decide between two singers with only one more spot to fill. At that point, Vocal Point's signature nine-man sound was born. 'When we created Vocal Point, we envisioned a group that would become a tradition at BYU,' Boyce said. 'We are so happy and proud of what Vocal Point has become. We often joke that we wouldn't make it into the group if we auditioned today.' More than 100 men have sung with Vocal Point, including the nine currently in the group. To mark the 20-year anniversary of Vocal Point, BYU's Tantara Records is releasing the group's latest album, 'Back in Blue.' In addition, Tantara has remastered Vocal Point's first album, 'If Rocks Could Sing,' which was also released in conjunction with the anniversary concert. This marks the first time 'Rocks' has been available on CD. 'Back in Blue' is Vocal Point's eighth album. Song samples of all eight albums can be heard at www.byumusicstore.com. Vocal Point is part of the BYU School of Music and one of 18 performing groups sponsored by the university. It is the most-requested performing group at BYU and regularly performs in front of sold-out crowds on and off campus. Members of Vocal Point devote more than 20 hours each week to the group and do not receive scholarships or other compensation for their time. The group performs for more than 50,000 people each year, regularly selling out shows weeks in advance. Vocal Point is under the direction of Buck Mangum, the group's fifth director. For more information, contact Alex B. Leeman at (801) 628-3861 or alex.leeman@hotmail.com. To learn more about Vocal Point, visit www.byuvocalpoint.com. For photos, visit http://pam.byu.edu/group/vocal-point/. Source: BYU News

Brigham Young University's premier nine-man a cappella singing group, Vocal Point, is bringing alumni members back together for its 20th anniversary celebration in the 'Maximum A Cappella' reunion concert Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts. Three additional performances, without Vocal Point alumni, will be held Thursday through Saturday, March 3-5, at 7:30 p.m. at the same location. Tickets are available at coveycenter.org or (801) 852-7007 for $10 on the balcony or $12 on the floor. The show will feature all nine founding members from the 1991 group, along with about 70 of their successors. Although Vocal Point had reunion concerts to mark its 10th and 15th years, this will be the first time that the founding lineup has sung together since graduating from BYU. Vocal Point was founded in 1991 by Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce while both were students at BYU. 'We were looking for a singing outlet that was maybe a bit outside the BYU norm,' Ahlander said. 'We wanted to do something BYU had never seen before.' The group takes the songs heard on the radio, retools them and delivers a new rendition with voices alone — complete with all the complex percussion and instrumentation found in the originals. Started in the tradition of Ivy League glee clubs, Vocal Point has developed a varied repertoire of rock, pop, country, jazz, spiritual and R&B styles, all produced in the group's unique style. Vocal Point was originally intended to be a double-quartet with just eight members. However, at the conclusion of the first auditions, Ahlander and Boyce found themselves unable to decide between two singers with only one more spot to fill. At that point, Vocal Point's signature nine-man sound was born. 'When we created Vocal Point, we envisioned a group that would become a tradition at BYU,' Boyce said. 'We are so happy and proud of what Vocal Point has become. We often joke that we wouldn't make it into the group if we auditioned today.' More than 100 men have sung with Vocal Point, including the nine currently in the group. To mark the 20-year anniversary of Vocal Point, BYU's Tantara Records is releasing Vocal Point's latest album, 'Back in Blue.' In addition, Tantara is in the process of remastering Vocal Point's first album, 'If Rocks Could Sing,' which is slated to be rereleased soon. This will mark the first time 'Rocks'Á¢€—has been available on CD. 'Back in Blue' is Vocal Point's eighth album. Vocal Point is part of the BYU School of Music and one of 18 performing groups sponsored by the university. It is the most-requested performing group at BYU and regularly performs in front of sold-out crowds on and off campus. Members of Vocal Point devote more than 20 hours each week to the group and do not receive scholarships or other compensation for their time. The group performs for more than 50,000 people each year, regularly selling out shows weeks in advance. Vocal Point is currently under the direction of Buck Mangum, the group's fifth director. For more information, contact Alex B. Leeman at (801) 628-3861 or alex.leeman@hotmail.com. To learn more about Vocal Point, visit www.byuvocalpoint.com. For photos, visit http://pam.byu.edu/group/vocal-point/. Source: BYU News

The Brigham Young University Jazz Ensemble will join with Vocal Point in a concert Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.

While many others their age were sleeping in and getting a tan, this past summer Brigham Young University student performers were sharing their talent, their values and their friendship with audiences all over the world.

Although Brigham Young University’s Homecoming 2009 Founder Eugene Lusk Roberts died in 1953, his footprints easily will be evident at the annual “Spectacular!” extravaganza in the Marriott Center Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m.

by Brady Toone

by Angela Fischer