Ray Smith, director of the Brigham Young University jazz ensemble 'Synthesis,' writes of this live release: "Welcome to our musical tour of Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! We are excited to share with you the excitement and musical energy of our live performances for the people of the Baltic States and Scandinavia. Synthesis has had the privilege of sharing America's music- jazz- with many countries of the world, including Japan, China, Brazil, Russia, and much of Europe. We need no translation when we play; people everywhere feel and love jazz, and much goodwill ahs been fostered through our performances. I have tried before to record the band at the end of a tour with no success because of our being jet lagged and brain-dead. We decided this time to bring good microphones and record every concert and see what we could get. Thankfully, Jeff Carter traveled with us to engineer these recordings. It's amazing that he took these sounds from mostly outdoor performances- in shopping plazas and even in the woods. I hope you enjoy the recordings as much as we enjoyed playing these amazing tunes!" Synthesis is a musical melding of some of the finest musicians at Brigham Young University. Drawing freely from the various styles of Afro-American music, the ensemble has become known for versatility, spontaneity, and creativity in performance. The ensemble has toured Japan, China, Scandinavia, Russia, Europe, and Brazil, and has given numerous performances throughout the USA.

Classical Music

Each Christmas season at Brigham Young University over 500 vocalists and instrumentalists celebrate the season in song. + With a strong belief in the spiritual character of music, the BYU students and conductors have achieved performances that are alive, fresh, and heartfelt—performances that overcome boundaries and draw people together. + The music on this CD was recorded during the live performances of the December 2013 "Celebration of Christmas" concerts. + The BYU Singers, BYU Concert Choir, BYU Men’s Chorus, BYU Women’s Chorus, and BYU Philharmonic Orchestra inspire listeners with their spirit, talent, and performance artistry. + These musical organizations are known for their unity, due in part to the superb technical proficiency achieved under choral conductors Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall and Jean Applonie as well as Philharmonic conductor Kory Katseanes. + As one critic observed, “The spiritual element is present in each piece the choirs sing.”

BYU Singers’ debut album under conductor Dr. Andrew Crane combines classical and contemporary sacred choral music in a variety of styles. From English Renaissance to American hymns to bluegrass, the choir inspires with its trademark beautiful sound, sparkling precision, and expressive artistry. The Brigham Young University Singers is a top-tier choir with impressive voices that performs a wide range of styles. Conducted by Dr. Andrew Crane, the group performs pieces from nearly every musical genre as well as many original works written or arranged for the choir. Known as one of the country’s finest choirs, BYU Singers celebrated their 30th anniversary in March 2015. The choir has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House, and more. The choir consists of 40 students pursuing a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees.

The BYU Young Ambassadors’ new production, "Heartsongs: Melodies of Love," is a fast-paced musical revue created for family audiences. + "Heartsongs" features show tunes from award-winning Broadway musicals as well as popular international hits by the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Adele and Michael Jackson. + Since their premier performance at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, the BYU Young Ambassadors have performed in over 67 countries and appeared before millions, including many government and arts leaders.

The BYU Young Ambassadors’ new production, "Heartsongs: Melodies of Love," is a fast-paced musical revue created for family audiences. + "Heartsongs" features show tunes from award-winning Broadway musicals as well as popular international hits by the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Adele and Michael Jackson. + Since their premier performance at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, the BYU Young Ambassadors have performed in over 67 countries and appeared before millions, including many government and arts leaders.

Primarily an album of sacred and inspirational hymns and songs, 'Rise, My Soul' is the final album from BYU conductor Jean Applonie. The album features some of her finest conducting work as the BYU Women's Chorus brings to life familiar and new choral arrangements. The Women's Chorus at BYU is a large group of select, versatile singers who perform a diverse repertoire extending from medieval and renaissance works to masterpieces of our own time. Folk music and other varied genres are included in the choir's study and performances. The choir is well known for it's beautiful, blended sound from pristine, quiet unison to the majesty of large textured sonorities.

Classical Music

Each Christmas season at Brigham Young University over 500 vocalists and instrumentalists celebrate the season in song. Handpicked from the largest private student body in the country, these students comprise four nationally and internationally acclaimed choirs and the highly praised Philharmonic Orchestra. These musical organizations are known for their unity, due in part to the superb technical proficiency achieved under the hands of choral conductors Rosalind Hall, Dr. Andrew Crane, and Jean Applonie and Philharmonic conductor Kory Katseanes. But there is more. Students and conductors share a strong belief in the spiritual character of music. As one critic observed, "The spiritual element is present in each piece the choirs sing." This results in performances that are alive, fresh, and heartfelt-performances that overcome boundaries and draw people together. The music presented here was recorded during the live performances of the December 2016 and 2017 Celebration of Christmas concerts.

'The Story of My Life' features Lea Salonga and the BYU Chamber Orchestra performing some of Lea's favorite Broadway, Disney, and pop songs, including many arranged and orchestrated by her brother, Gerard Salonga. This album was recorded on May 30, 2017, on the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo stage in front of a live audience. This stage is incredibly special to Lea, as it is where, at age 7, she made her performance debut as a member of the company of The King and I and, at age 18, she first sang the song "I'd Give My Life for You" in public, just prior to leaving for London in 1989 to take on the role of Kim in the West End production of 'Miss Saigon'. Of this performance with the BYU Chamber Orchestra, Lea writes: "This collaboration with the BYU Chamber Orchestra was a special one. I vividly remember stepping onto the stage for our first sound check surrounded by young, eager musicians with their instruments at the ready. And then they played. The sound they produced was magnificent, but it was more than that. You could hear their enthusiasm and excitement in the notes, but, more importantly, you could feel the heart and soul they had poured into the program. Being able to perform in Manila with these talented musicians was such a treat, and I'm grateful that my hometown audience got to experience their superb musicianship. I hope this won't be the last opportunity we'll have to perform together." As you listen to this concert recording, which features songs handpicked by Lea as well as stories from her life, you will get to know this world-renowned singer and actress in an intimate and personal way. So sit back and enjoy the concert as if you were there and part of Lea's hometown crowd in Manila, and see if you don't find yourself chanting along with the audience - "Lea, Lea, Lea," and "BYU, BYU, BYU" - by the end of the album.

Classical Music

BYU Noteworthy welcomes the Christmas spirit with some holiday favorites.

The music presented on this album was recorded during the live performances of the December 2021 and 2022 Celebration of Christmas concerts in the de Jong Concert Hall at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.

The internationally award-winning chamber choir BYU Singers combines classical and contemporary choral music in a variety of styles. From Latin motets to world premieres to the American Songbook, the choir inspires with its trademark beautiful sound, sparkling precision, and expressive artistry.

From new to classic Disney songs, this new album features collaborations with Adassa (the original voice of Delores in "Encanto"), Laura Osnes, Anthem Lights, One Voice Children’s Choir, The All-American Boys Chorus, and more! Vocal Point was founded in 1991 by two students at Brigham Young University. Vocal Point is BYU's world-renowned all-vocal ensemble and has earned acclaim the world over, including being identified as one of “greatest college a cappella groups of all time.” In 2006 the group took home the title of International Champions of College A Cappella, and the following year were voted the nation’s favorite male collegiate a cappella group by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America.