Noteworthy (vocal group)


BYU Noteworthy is a nine-member, female Brigham Young University a cappella group, based in Provo, Utah, United States. They won 1st place at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2007 and appeared on the first season of NBC's a cappella competition reality show The Sing-Off in 2009. Esther Yoder formed the group in 2003, aided by members of BYU's Vocal Point. Noteworthy began operating under the direction of the Performing Arts Management at BYU in 2014. One of their most popular music videos is a cover of Amazing Grace, which won the Contemporary A Cappella Society award for Best Religious Video and has garnered millions of views on YouTube since its release. Noteworthy has released six albums since its formation in 2003. In 2018, Noteworthy performed "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for a Mormon Message for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A former member of Noteworthy, Amy Whitcomb, appeared on the fourth season of The Voice; she was eliminated in the knockout rounds, but as of 2018 is serving as Noteworthy's director.

History

Noteworthy was founded in 2003 by BYU student Esther Yoder. She consulted with co-founder and then-director of Vocal Point, Bob Ahlander, and recruited Vocal Point members Dave Brown and Dan Dunn to help create the new group. The group was established with nine female members in 2004. Noteworthy competed in the ICCA in 2004. In the semifinal round, Noteworthy placed second in the West region, and Yoder received the award for Most Outstanding Vocal Percussion, the first woman to receive the award. In 2006, the group released its debut album, On the Horizon. They again competed at the ICCA and placed second to Vocal Point in the Quarterfinal round. Noteworthy member Camille Hancock won the award for Most Outstanding Choreography. A Bulgarian track on the album, "Kaval Sviri," was nominated for a CARA Recording Award in the best female collegiate song category.
In 2007, Noteworthy took first place in the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final round of the competition at the Lincoln Center in New York City, making them the 2007 International Champions. Director Catherine Papworth received the Most Outstanding Arrangement Award for "How Great Thou Art" in both the Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds. Member Kristin Papworth received the award for Most Outstanding Choreography for Noteworthy's full set in the Finals round.
The group's second album Green Means Go was released in 2009. "Listen," a cover track from Green Means Go was selected to appear on the Best of Collegiate A Cappella compilation for 2010. In 2009, Noteworthy appeared on NBC's a cappella competition reality show The Sing-Off. The show debuted on NBC on December 14, 2009. Noteworthy was eliminated in the second episode on December 15, 2009.
After performing on The Sing-Off, Noteworthy went on to compete in the ICCA quarter finals in Eugene, Oregon, where they took first place and the award for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Arrangement, and Outstanding Vocal Percussion. Noteworthy's third album Defined was released in 2010. The CD received four CARA nominations, Best Scholastic Original Song, Best Female Collegiate Album, Best Female Collegiate Solo, and Best Female Collegiate Arrangement. In 2012, Noteworthy performed in two joint concerts with the Whiffenpoofs of Yale while the ensemble was on tour in Utah. The same year, Noteworthy competed in the ICCA, taking first place at the Quarterfinal. Former members Amy Whitcomb and Laina Walker were featured on the third season of NBC's TV Show The Sing-Off with a group called Delilah. Additionally, Whitcomb appeared on the fourth season of The Voice, where she was eliminated in the knockout rounds. In 2013, Noteworthy made its first YouTube music video.
In 2014, Noteworthy released a new album, "Unbound". On April 12, 2014, alumni traveled to Provo for a 10-Year Anniversary Concert, which included performances by the current Noteworthy group as well as past generations. In 2014, the group performed as an opener for Home Free, the Season 4 winning group of NBC's "The Sing-Off," on Memorial Day in Orem, Utah. In 2014, Noteworthy joined Vocal Point as the second university-sponsored a cappella group at BYU, under the administrative direction of BYU's PAM. Keith Evans, a former member of Vocal Point, was hired as the artistic director.
In 2015, Noteworthy gained significant popularity after recording and filming their cover of Amazing Grace, which has garnered millions of views since its release. Noteworthy's "Amazing Grace" won The Contemporary A Cappella Society award for Best Religious Video. They recorded two other music videos that year--"Star Wars: A Cappella Strikes Back" and "Be Thou My Vision". Noteworthy returned to compete in the ICCA, winning the Northwest Regional Round but was unable to advance due to a scheduling conflict. Touring opportunities took them to the Four Corners to perform on The Today Show with Al Roker, opening for Jay Leno at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, and a two-week mainstage tour in Nauvoo, IL.
In 2016, Noteworthy released a new 15-track album, "Ready for a Miracle". They also filmed three new music videos, including "Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony, "Gloria ", and "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors with the BYU Cougarettes; the latter two were released as new singles. The group performed at the University of Alaska Anchorage in October 2016 at the 23rd annual A Cappella Festivella; this was their first time performing outside of the continental United States. In 2017, Noteworthy released album, "How Sweet the Sound: Songs of Inspiration". In 2018, Noteworthy sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for a Mormon Message for the LDS Church.

Directors, alumni, and members

Information obtained from Deseret Book and BYU Music Store.
YearDirectorMembers
2004Esther YoderStephanie Call, Nykelle Cloward, LeeElle Jex, Rachel Kocherhans, Rosa Parma, Ellen Pratt, Ashley Tanabe, Esther Yoder, Jessica Zabawa-
2004-2005Dave BrownStephanie Call, Suzie Hall, Lauren Hart, Alexis Munoa, Catherine Papworth, Rosa Parma, Ellen Pratt, Ashley Tanabe, Esther Yoder, Jessica Zabawa-
2005-2006Jimmy DunnSommer Anderson, Jackie Donkin, Camille Hancock, Lauren Hart, Erica Neuffer, Catherine Papworth, Kristin Papworth, Megan Schmidt and Mikelle Young, Ashley Tanabe-
2006-2007Catherine PapworthAshley Cazier, Jackie Donkin, Camille Hancock, Courtney Jensen, Kaity McGuire, Ashley Mordwinow, Erica Neuffer, Kristin Papworth, Nabby Parkinson, Megan Schmidt-
2007-2008Catherine Papworth, Esther YoderCamrie Copier, Courtney Jensen, Kaity McGuire, Ashley Mordwinow, Erica Neuffer, Michelle Osmond, Kristin Papworth, Nabby Parkinson, Amy Whitcomb-
2008-2009Catherine Papworth, Erica NeufferCatherine Cooley, Jenna Engebretsen, Courtney Jensen, Katie Jensen, Ashley Mordwinow, Nabby Parkinson, Kelsey Pratt, Rachel Sonderegger, Amy Whitcomb-
2009-2010Courtney Jensen, Amy WhitcombSiri Alemany, Amber Catherall, Cassie Crabb, Lizzy Early, Courtney Jensen, Katie Jensen, Kelsey Pratt, Laina Walker, Amy Whitcomb-
2010-2011Kelsey Pratt, Cassie CrabbAmber Asay, Cassie Brimhall, Lizzy Early, McKenzie Giles, Katie Hall, Kristen Metzger, Taylor Olson, Sara Phelps, Laina Blackner, Brooke Weenig-
2011-2012Amanda Crabb, Kelsey PrattCassie Brimhall, McKenzie Giles, Katie Hall, Sara Phelps, Hollie Pratt, Tatiana Quinn, Cassie Tobler, Brooke Weenig, Rebecca Woahn-
2012-2013Katie Hall, Kelsey PrattBrianna Boyd, Brittany Bruner, Cassie Gonzalez, Liz Tyler, Jillian Innes, Lauren Myrick, Emily Parkinson, Tatiana Quinn, Jennifer Riding-
2013-2014Tatiana QuinnShirley Cole, Jordyn Crowley, Cassie Gonzalez, Janae Klumpp, Mariah Kolts, Diana Kramer, Elicia Merwin, Marissa Quinn, Hanna Zenger-
2014-2015Keith EvansAlyssa Aramaki, Sarah Cunha, Allyssa Jex, Janae Klumpp, Janessa Lyons, Jessica McKay, Mariella Roberts, Tressa Roberts, Bethany Simmons-
2015-2016Keith EvansAlyssa Aramaki, Sarah Cunha, Allyssa Blake, Janae Klumpp, Jessica Johnson, Tressa Roberts, Alyssa Flake, Rachael Holt, Taylor Whitlock-
2016-2017Keith EvansAlyssa Aramaki Hazen, Bronwyn Bent, Sarah Cunha, Caitlin Dudley Wilcox, Alyssa Flake, Amy Geis, Rachael Holt Garner, Megan Sackett, Taylor Whitlock Smith, Hanna Zenger-
2017-2018Keith EvansBronwyn Bent, Kristen Bodine, Beth Campbell, Caitlin Dudley Wilcox, Allie Gardner, Amy Geis, Cami Jones, Jessica Osai, Catie Porter, Maryn Smyth-
2018-2019Amy WhitcombMeg Ackerman, Allie Gardner, Ellie Hughes, Cami Jones, Amy Geis-Lorsch, Lizzy Newbold, Maryn Smyth, Anna Slezak, Kacey Sorenson-
2019-2020Amy WhitcombMeg Ackerman, Aitana Alapa, Ellie Hughes, Grace Ibarra, Lizzy Newbold, Tiffany Parker, Anna Slezak, Maryn Smyth, Brittan Wawro-

Discography

Album discography retrieved from BYU Music Store. Single discography retrieved from Apple Music and the BYU Music Store.
Albums:
Singles: