It’s a far cry from a time not that long ago when you could hear the fledgling singing group practically beg for an audience with random performances at the flag pole and on the quad on BYU’s Provo campus. Seriously, with millions and millions (and MILLIONS!) of views on their impeccably polished YouTube videos-and a noticeable boost in quality from the days I was at BYU-my jaw dropped to the floor. (Don’t you judge me)-and my first thought was, woah, they sound pretty good.
It’s meant so much to me.I know I’m behind the times with most things, but seeing Noteworthy, the all-female a cappella group at BYU, randomly come up on a YouTube autoplay list-you know, one of those endless auto lists that starts with something Disney, then somehow autoplays to the Piano Guys, Pentatonix, Lindsey Stirling, Mormon Messages, Meet the Mormons sequence, etc. Noteworthy has been a safe haven for me, a sisterhood of women who truly care about each other, music, and the gospel.
It’s given me a way to express my passion for music and for lighting up people’s lives. Ellen Alleman, one of the first members, said, “The connections I made while a part of the group helped me get through hard times in my life, and the friends I made in the group will always be a part of my life.”Ĭatherine Papworth, a member from 2004 to 2006 (nd the current director), affirmed, “Noteworthy has given me the best friends I could ever have in the world. While focusing on lifting listeners up, they can’t but lift each other up during the process. They also commit to uphold modest and virtuous lives in order to prove the value of womanhood and the family. They also know the power that music can have in bringing listeners to Christ, and they endeavor to uplift all that hear them. Noteworthy does not simply strive to sing well. They also sing several spiritual numbers such as “Where Can I Turn for Peace,” and “How Great Thou Art,” which testify powerfully of their faith in Christ. They sing pop hits such as “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Survivor,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” On top of that they also sing a poignant rendition of the Lord of the Rings‘ “Into the West.” Noteworthy has sung this song every year because of its Christian message of the existence of a heavenly world after death. From low basses to high trumpets, from strong soloists to incredible vocal percussion, they come together in a blend that is exceptionally moving. These ladies have managed to sound simultaneously sweet, compelling, soulful, and wholesome. The sacrifices, as one can hear from the CD, were well worth it. One dedicated member, Ashley Tanabe, even collected cans to recycle during her summer vacation. They all sacrificed and donated money in some way to keep the dream of a CD alive. With frequent performances, and busy school lives, they somehow managed to put 60 to 80 hours into recording, self-mixing, and self-producing. With nine hours of rehearsal every week, these Noteworthy ladies strive for excellence in their sound, choreography, and teamwork. “On the Horizon” is the accumulation of two and a half years of hard work from the 21 girls who have participated over the years and four directors who have helped them. The group has competed in ICCA (International Championships for Collegiate a Cappella) multiple times, opened for Vocal Point’s De Jong show, had its own two-act show, and in December 2006 released its debut album, “On the Horizon.” Recently, a song on this album, “Kaval Sviri,” was nominated for the prestigious CARA (Contemporary a Cappella Recording Awards) in the Female Collegiate Song category. During its three-year existence, Noteworthy has seen tremendous growth.
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