The 2007 ICCA Champions, Brigham Young University Noteworthy

With the ICCA Finals upon us, what better time to revisit last year’s champions, the incomparable all-female sensation, Brigham Young’s Noteworthy. Director Esther Yoder took the time to answer questions form ACB Content Manager Mike Chin.

The A Cappella Blog (ACB): First of all, congratulations on earning the title of ICCA Champions last year. What did this accomplishment mean to the group?

Esther Yoder (EY): More than anything, it was and is an honor.  It was an incredible experience to perform alongside so many incredibly talented groups and share in their enthusiasm and excitement.  Every year is a great experience because of the friendships gained with other competing groups.

ACB: Can you describe Notheworthy's journey through competition last year?

EY: That would be a longer story than either of us have time for.  The ladies had desire and vision that was unconquerable.  Each member took a vital role in bringing about the results.  They worked together as a group; as friends. They worked their hardest, and that work was visible on stage.  For me, as Founder and Director, it was honestly breathtaking to watch them and all their efforts come together so beautifully.

ACB: Noteworthy was the only all-female group to take the stage at the 2007 finals, and are only the second all-female group to be named ICCA champions. What challenges exist for a group of women in competition?

EY: Every a cappella group has obstacles.  For women, everyone of course mentions the lack of lower voices, vocal percussion, etc.  But honestly, a cappella for an all-female group is more different than harder.  We've tackled some of the difficulties and done them in our own way but more than anything, we have different strengths that we
have to play up.

ACB: What helped Noteworthy overcome these challenges?

EY: Noteworthy has always tried to keep their eyes on the future while
remembering the past.  Each girl knows that this group started with just a couple people who wanted to try something.  They know that the challenges then were overcome through patience and believing it's possible.  They've done the same thing.

ACB: To what do you attribute the group's success?

EY: Each of those ladies deserve the recognition.  Although the group has a Director, it is mainly managed by the members of the group.  Each girl has a responsibility.  We have PR Directors, Treasurers, Musical Directors, Business Directors, etc. so the group is really owned by the members of it.  Their work is what got the group through finals last year.

ACB: Your competition set for 2007 featured a bold variety of song choices, ranging from a Bulgarian opener, to a spiritual, to a Stevie Wonder hit. I was wondering if you can lend some insights into the thought process behind these song selections?

EY: Different is good.  'Nuff said.  We have always tried to do a variety of songs so, as the "Mint Julips" said, "we are never placed under a lid".  All types of music are great, so why leave any out?

ACB: Your competition set for 2007 set featured some truly inspired movement,  featuring the crowd-wowing choreography on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." Who are the masterminds behind this choreography?

EY: Each member of Noteworthy helps with choreography.  They all become
choreographers, arrangers, etc.  But for that particular song, there were two main choreographers: Kristin Papworth (Current member of Noteworthy) and Stephanie Call (original member of Noteworthy).

ACB: Do you find it difficult to integrate such intense movement into performances?

EY: It definitely adds another aspect to the performance.  There's a lot more to think of while you're on stage.  Honestly, however, the choreography helps more than hurts our performance. It helps the ladies to get into the performance, and gives the group a unified look and feel.  We love that aspect of performing and it stretches us to improve our talents more and more.

ACB: What can listeners expect from Noteworthy's debut album, On The Horizon?

EY: We tried to incorporate a little bit of everything on our album. The same variety that you see on stage is on the CD.

ACB: Describe a typical Noteworthy rehearsal.

EY: Arrangements and choreography are all prepared outside of rehearsal so we can focus on learning while we're together. We open and close each rehearsal with a prayer, and do business, musical practice, choreography practice, and whatever else needs work into practice.

ACB: How often do you practice and what do you do to achieve such success by the time you hit the stage?

EY: We rehearse Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.  We have rehearsals for the upcoming month planned so that when we arrive we know exactly what we're going to be doing, and each rehearsal is divided up as well.  And what do we do to achieve success? Work hard.

ACB: Do rehearsals change before a big show? Before competition?

EY: Sometimes, yes.  If something in particular needs to be polished more, or there is something the ladies are not as comfortable with as they'd like to be, then they may get together outside of regular rehearsal time and work something.  All rehearsals are subject to change, depending on the immediate needs of the group.

ACB: What drew you, personally, to collegiate a cappella in the first place?

EY: Starting Noteworthy sprang from a desire to help other people, reach outside of myself, and do something that hadn't been done before.  Collegiate a cappella is so wonderfully "experimental" that you really don't ever know what's around the next bend.  It's a great display of what the human voice, on its own, can do.

For more on Noteworthy, you can visit the group online at http://www.noteworthyladies.com/.