Riley Oliphant, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

CFAC convocation exercises encourage students to look to the future

Riley Oliphant — Tue, 03 May 2016 20:48:49 +0000

The College of Fine Arts and Communications held three convocation ceremonies on April 22 in recognition of the 512 CFAC undergraduate and 28 graduate students receiving degrees during BYU’s commencement on April 21, 2016. Download printed program. After a welcome from Dean Ed Adams, the ceremonies were keynoted by student speeches and performances that showcased student work in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Students reflected on what they learned during their time at BYU and expressed their excitement to take the tools they had gathered into their futures. 8 a.m. The School of Communications started their program at 8 a.m. with the largest number of graduates in the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Public relations student Michelle Wood Keddington spoke first about “What to See in Your Selfie.” She challenged new graduates to see the results of earning of degree in communications from BYU including learning how to learn, learning how to do hard things and gaining values that change the world. “When you step back and think about your overall experiences here at BYU, what really matters is who you have become,” said Keddington. “BYU has given you a plethora of values that will make you a better worker and person. Beyond that shameless self-portrait is a person who is unique and has developed many good qualities that will be beneficial for people worldwide.“ Journalism student Brooke Porter spoke next and recounted her experiences telling the stories of those living with a terminal diagnosis. “I was taught the significance of a life and the far-reaching impact that the story of a life can have. I was reminded of why I wanted to study journalism in the first place–to tell peoples stories,” Porter said. “There is so much of life to be enjoyed. So, my question is what will you do with yours and how will you enjoy it?” Following the student speeches, musical performance student Michelle Yumi Papenfuss preformed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata in A major op. 101 on the piano. 11 a.m. The Department of Art and Department of Design combined exercises at 11 a.m. The ceremony opened with music performance students Michael Drew Powell on flute and Joon-Ho Howell on piano preforming “Nocturne” by Lili Boulange. Following the duet, animation student Joshua Koji Tsukamoto presented his speech entitled, “Discovering Our Potential,” focused on the experiences as student that taught him that his study at BYU would allow him and his peers to have a positive impact on the world. “Everyone is growing and learning. Everyone is aiming to one day be an influence on someone and our dream of illuminating and confirming truth of the infinite potential of the human soul,” said Tsukamoto, quoting from the BYU Media Arts program mission statement. To conclude, studio arts student Kanasa Kinjo Johnson spoke on “Creating Something Big.” She explained the concept behind her final BFA show entitled, Kiseki, a Japanese word with several distinct meanings, which explored how multiple ideas can exist at one time. “We’ve all experienced it. Peace during a difficult trial, fear in a place of safety, assurance about the unknown ahead,” Johnson said. “Whatever is far from you, the future or the past that you have already experienced is more clear. But the closer you get to the present, the more blurry things get.” Johnson challenged the audience saying that embracing the unknown while still being present in the moment is how we can create something big with our lives. 2 PM The graduates from the Department of Dance, the School of Music, the Music Dance Theatre Program and the Department of Theatre and Media Arts combined for the last convocation ceremony. Following a welcome from Dean Ed Adams, music performance students, Lyman Keil McBride on trombone and Alissa Marie Freeman on piano, performed “Á€ la Manière de Schumann” by Jean-Michel Defaye. Following this duet, theatre arts and education student Elizabeth Lloyd Lowe’s speech entitled, “The Power of Communication” explained how the arts dare us to connect with one another. “The arts are more than just mere entertainment they are communication of the deepest aspects of humanity–the things we all share yet rarely speak of, “ Lowe said. “The arts create a real human connection in the moment and encourage us to work together to create something bigger than anyone of us are and allows us to express the inexpressible.” Following the speech, Music Dance Theatre students musical performed “The New World” from Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, reflecting on “the moment of decision” that can forever change the outcome of life. Concluding the ceremony dance students performed “Seed” with choreography by Aubry Dalley and music by Max Richter. __ After the speakers and performances, with themes of reflection for past and hope for the future, the graduates and families celebrated their final moments on the BYU campus.

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Kristin Chenoweth, Lea Salonga, Branford Marsalis headline BYU’s BRAVO! ’16-’17 Professional Performing Arts Season

Riley Oliphant — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 21:28:55 +0000

Tony Award-winning actors, Grammy Award-winning musicians, and celebrated dancers and theatre-makers from ten different countries will come to Provo next season for an unparalleled program of world-class performances. From Broadway legends to chamber music masters and time-honored dance to thrilling circus–there are many treasures to discover during the new season of professional performing arts at BYU. Season ticket packages will be available for purchase beginning May 11 for renewals, and May 23 for new orders. Tickets for individual events will go on sale approximately four to six weeks before the performance date. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office (Harris Fine Arts Center and Marriott Center), by calling 801.422.4322, or online at byuarts.com. The BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU 2016-17 schedule: BROADWAY: NOW With two Tony Awards and an additional five nominations among them, this roster of talent represents some of the most beloved and active musical theatre stars and creators to be found on the Great White Way. Kristin Chenoweth Friday—Saturday, Sept. 2—3, 7:30 PM de Jong Concert Hall The Emmy and Tony Award†winning actress and singer takes the lead in a spectacular career effortlessly spanning film, television, and stage. In her live concert, the acclaimed star presents an evening of songs from her iconic roles in shows like Wicked, Glee and On the Twentieth Century–as well as popular standards and classics from Broadway, Hollywood and beyond. An Evening with Lucy Simon with special guest Anthony Warlow Thursday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall The Grammy Award winner and Tony†nominated composer of the musicals The Secret Garden and Doctor Zhivago sits down for an intimate discussion of her acclaimed songwriting career and her life on stage, intermingled with live performances of her most beloved songs. Broadway vocalists to be announced. Frank Wildhorn and Friends Friday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall The Tony Award†nominated composer (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jekyll & Hyde) and pop music songwriter returns to BYU with a live band and professional soloists for a journey through his celebrated catalog of hits and show tunes. Broadway vocalists to be announced. Lea Solonga with BYU Chamber Orchestra Kory Katseanes, conductor Tuesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall The Tony Award-winning Broadway star (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Allegiance), celebrity TV coach of The Voice (Philippines), and Disney princess (Aladdin, Mulan) makes a much†anticipated return to Provo for a grand night of standards and show tunes in concert with the 35†piece BYU Chamber Orchestra. CLASSICS Timeless classical music shines brightly at the hands–and voice–of some of the greatest concert artists of our day. Joyce Didonato and Brentano String Quartet Thursday, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall The Grammy Award†winning mezzo†soprano, celebrated for her “glamour, charisma, intelligence, grace, and remarkable talent” (New York Times), takes to the stage with the Yale School of Music’s esteemed quartet†in†residence for a program of familiar and contemporary classical treasures. Utah Symphony Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall For the explorer in each of us, the Utah Symphony, conducted by Thierry Fischer, transports us to another time and place with their performance of Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, featuring what many consider to be one of the most beautiful melodies in all of classical music. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Madsen Recital Hall Founded in 1988, this quintet continues to astonish audiences worldwide with its range of expression, tonal spectrum and conceptual unity. The ensemble has succeeded in virtually redefining the sound of the classic wind quintet. Program highlights include works Gyorgy Ligeti’s “Six Bagatelles,” Franz Hanzi’s “Quintet in F†Major” and Paul Hindemith’s “Kleine Kammermusik.” Philharmonia Quartett Berlin Saturday, March 11, 8:00 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall Founded in 1984 by the principal concertmaster and string section leaders of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, this ensemble has established itself as one of the world’s premier string quartets with its extensive history of international concerts and large and diverse discography. Highlights of the group’s BYU recital include performances of celebrated string quartets by Mozart, Shostakovich and Beethoven. BAROQUE RE/VISITED Starring the music of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, this trio of performances explores some of the most beautifully textured classical masterworks from the Baroque music canon. Matt Haimovitz: “The Bach Suites: A Moveable Feast” Thursday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. Madsen Recital Hall Some of the most moving and spiritual compositions for a solo instrument in history, Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello (1717†1723) take on new life in a program offering a brilliant musical variation on the concept of A Moveable Feast. The acclaimed Israeli†American cellist combines each of Bach’s beloved works with newly†commissioned suites by Philip Glass, Du Yun, Vijay Iyer and others. Tenebrae: Handel’s Messiah Nov. 10-11, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall Celebrated for its passion and precision, this London†based chamber choir returns, with soloists, for an intimate staging of George Frideric Handel’s timeless and glorious oratorio honoring the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Former King’s Singer Nigel Short conducts the performance, which also includes the BYU School of Music’s Baroque Ensemble, University Singers and Concert Choir. Venice Baroque Orchestra Wednesday, Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall Since its establishment in 1997, this acclaimed orchestra has become recognized as one of the very finest period instrument ensembles in the world and has appeared in more U.S. cities than any other Baroque orchestra in history. Acclaimed Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the ensemble for a dynamic performance of Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons. MUSIC + MOTION This eclectic mix of jazz, world music, dance, and circus captures the variety and fun of the sounds and stories of today’s global community. Branford Marsalis Quartet with Special Guest Kurt Elling Thursday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. Pardoe Theatre A collaboration between jazz’s most intense band and one of the genre’s foremost singers should prove to be anything but standard in this special line-up that looks beyond the Great American Songbook and enables the band to perform a variety of material in new and exciting ways. Anda Union Thursday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. de Jong Concert Hall A thoroughly addictive combination of musical styles reflects the diverse roots of this group hailing from the ethnic nomadic cultures of Inner Mongolia. Combining throat singing and long song with a wide range of musical instruments, Anda Union brings the region’s old and forgotten music to life as never before. Selected Shorts Friday, Nov. [...]

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CFAC/LAW SCHOOL SPRING 2016 CONVOCATIONS

Riley Oliphant — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 20:29:54 +0000

Convocation is this Friday, April 22 at 8:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. For family and friends who can’t be present at the convocations, they can view the ceremonies online by clicking on either the video or audio play button below. We hope you enjoy the live streaming of the CFAC and Law School convocations. These live streams allow you to view archival quality performances in real time. The streaming begins about 5 minutes prior to the posted start times. The live stream is provided as a courtesy of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. We apologize in advance for any possible interruptions or technical difficulties that may arise during the performance. Please note that audio or visual disruptions are subject to sources beyond our control. Footage will be made available a week after the event.

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100,000 views in less than a week!!! BYU Men’s Chorus and Alex Boyé find a perfect fit with “Baba Yetu”

Riley Oliphant — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 21:13:20 +0000

Last September, the BYU Men’s Chorus invited YouTube sensation, Alex Boyé, to join them in a new music video of Baba Yetu, a choral, Swahili version of the Lord’s Prayer. That new video has now reached more than 100,000 views in less than a week. BYU Sound Engineer Jeff Carter recorded and mixed a new version of this popular song from the Men’s Chorus repertoire to include the BYU Philharmonic conducted by Kory Katseanes and features Alex Boyé, a former member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir who rose to fame with his ‘Africanized’ version of well-known pop songs. “As this is an African version of the Lord’s Prayer, we thought of Alex Boyé and his ‘Africianized’ songs, so we invited him to be a soloist and he was perfect,” said Benjamin Jacob, president of the BYU Men’s Chorus. “He brought his own style to the piece–just a great combination of Men’s Chorus and Alex Boyé.” Read more and see the video >>>>>>>>>>

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BYU Arts play explores the intersection of the hearing and deaf world

Riley Oliphant — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 16:11:34 +0000

There was one important characteristic Director Julia Ashworth was looking for in the student actor playing the lead role in BYU Arts’ newest production, The Taste of Sunrise. He needed to be deaf. This month at BYU, the Department of Theatre and Media Arts is putting on a bilingual contemporary drama — opening on March 10 for a 13-show run in the Harris Fine Arts Center’s Margetts Theatre — where every line spoken will also be signed. Every character has a shadow signer: an actor who moves and acts with him or her on stage and signs all the lines in American Sign Language. The lead role of Tuc — a man struggling to navigate the path of loss, love and language in his silent world — is played by Ben Featherstone. Feathersone is deaf, but wears a cochlear implant so that he can read lips and hear vibrations. Two other cast members are also hard of hearing: David Hampton (who plays Dr. Grindly Mann and other characters) and Jason Keeler (who plays Roscoe). Many of the cast members are fluent in ASL or have taken ASL classes at BYU. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties in Illinois, this award-winning drama explores the cultural complexities of deafness with great humor and compassion. Ashworth hopes this significant story will provide equal access to hearing, deaf and hard of hearing audiences in the community. “I feel privileged to bring together deaf, hard of hearing and hearing actors to find the best way to tell this significant story,” said Ashworth. “Producing The Taste of Sunriseaddresses issues of equality that are important to me as a theatre artist.” Acting is a new experience for Featherstone. He took on this role to prove to himself that being deaf isn’t a limitation. He hopes that when the audience sees him on stage they will feel empowered as well. “It doesn’t matter if you’re deaf, or if you’re hearing,” said Featherstone. “What matters is that you are important in God’s eyes. There is no difference, we’re all equal. That’s the message I would share with the world.” The Taste of Sunrise is the second play in Suzan Zeder’s critically acclaimed Ware Trilogy, which will be presented throughout the year in its entirety in partnership with Utah Valley University. Tickets are $8-14, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. PHOTO: The Taste of Sunrise: Katie Hyatt, Emma Flynn; Jake Earnest, Jonas Tucker; Katie Jarvis, Nell Hicks; Ben Featherstone, Tuc; Brittni Henretty, Dr. Alexis Graham; Abbie Craig, Maizie. Photography by Mark A. Philbrick/BYU Photo. Copyright BYU Photo 2016. All Rights Reserved. Performance Dates: March 10—12, 16—19 and 22—25 Times: 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday March 19 and 26 Location: Margetts Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $8-14 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

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Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band performs “Jazz for Kids,” Mar. 5

Riley Oliphant — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 20:52:55 +0000

Brigham Young University’s School of Music will present “Jazz for Kids II,” with the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band as part of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Family Concert Series on Saturday, Mar. 5, at 11 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Admission is free, thanks to a generous donation from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, but all attendees age two years and older need a ticket. Children of all ages are admitted to this performance (including babes in arms). Tickets can be reserved at familyconcerts.byu.edu. Directed by Steve Call, the BYU Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band will play the music of New Orleans, a city where elements of spiritual songs, blues, ragtime and military bands merged to give birth to Jazz, America’s unique and contribution to the world of music. The audience will learn about and hear the music of Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, who were the first great jazz musicians. The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Family Concert Series was created to introduce the joy of music to children and youth. All family members are encouraged to attend regardless of age.

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Capturing the Coronation: Photography Professor’s Unexpected Trip to Tonga

Riley Oliphant — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 02:05:07 +0000

The lens of a camera does an incredible job of capturing the most nuanced detail within the scope of its frame. However, even the most sophisticated lens has limitations when compared to the human eye. BYU Professor Paul Adams found the same is true when taking on a seemingly straight forward photography assignment: there is often more than what you had expected to see through the lens. – See more at: http://news.byu.edu/news/capturing-coronation-photography-professors-unexpected-trip-tonga

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BYU Philharmonic in concert Feb. 12

Riley Oliphant — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 12:50:19 +0000

The BYU School of Music presents the Philharmonic Orchestra in concert in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center on Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will include “Songs of a Wayfarer” by Gustav Mahler, with baritone soloist, Darrell Babidge, and Symphony no. 4 “Romantic” by Anton Bruckner. Comprising 95 of the university’s finest musicians, the Philharmonic Orchestra performs regularly on campus and collaborates with BYU’s choral, opera and ballet programs. The Philharmonic is conducted by Kory Katseanes. Its repertoire focuses on the Romantic period but also includes 20th and 21st century music. This performance will be streamed live from the BYU School of Music’s website at liveconcerts.byu.edu. Performance Date: Friday, February 12 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $10 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

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Living Legends to Perform “Seasons”

Riley Oliphant — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:44:53 +0000

Brigham Young University’s Living Legends will perform a celebration of Latin American, Native American and Polynesian song and dance in a concert at BYU’s de Jong Concert Hall on Feb. 5-6 and Mar. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. Living Legends combines a dynamic repertoire of Native American choreography with the color and vitality of Polynesian and Latin American dance styles. Traditions come to life as talented descendants of these cultures weave together authentic choreography, intricate costumes and heart-pounding music into one captivating show. The “Seasons” program will include a kaleidoscope of culture, with dances and songs from Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Fiji, Hawaii, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga and the United States. Living Legends is run by the department of dance. The group has 44 members, made up of 36 performers and a technical crew of 8. All performers are of Polynesian, Latin or Native American heritage and are selected after a rigorous audition process. PHOTO: BYU LIVING LEGENDS, FROM THE “PEARL OF THE SEA,” THE RHYTHMS OF LIFE ARE PRESENTED THROUGH THE TAMURE AND STACCATO BEATS OF THE TOERE DRUMS. KAMERON HO CHING AND KIANA WILSON PERFORM THE TRADITIONAL TAHITIAN OTE’A TAVEVO, OTE’A HOPU. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK A. PHILBRICK/BYU. COPYRIGHT BYU PHOTO 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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BYU Young Company Presents Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ in the Wild West

Riley Oliphant — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 21:00:27 +0000

The BYU Young Company will present William Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece Twelfth Night with a western twist in the Nelke Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3-5, 10-12, with matinees on Feb. 6 and 13, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $7, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. Shakespeare’s poetry meets rip-roaring action and high-faultin song and dance in this cowboy version of Twelfth Night. Directed by Megan Sanborn Jones and adapted by Rick Curtiss, this production encourages audience members of all ages to look beneath outward appearances and value people for the qualities they have on the inside. “In our production, we decided to foreground this imagined world by presenting our 2016 Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night via a 1950’s vision of the nineteenth century west,” said Jones. “We take you back to this time that never existed–a fitting tribute, we believe– with Shakespeare’s topsy-turvy homage to a world where anything can happen.” Other production members include Amanda Welch as choreographer, Julia Ashworth as Young Company producer, Becky Wallin as Young Company managing director, Dayne Joyner as production stage manager, Rory Scanlon as scenic designer, Alyssa Bybee as costume designer, Sarah Stewart as makeup designer, Scott Jackson as props designer, Christian Riboldi as dramaturge, and Franny Gleave and Karlee Savage as assistant stage managers. Cast members include Sherry Kopischke as Viola/Cesario, Andrew Smith as Sebastian, Cameron Bridston as Feste, Savanah Smith as Olivia, Scott Jackson as Duke Orsino, Costner Henson as Malvolio, Olivia Ockey as Maria and Jacob Baird as Sir Toby Belch. PHOTO: Oliva (Savanah Smith, left) and Duke Orsino (Scott Jackson, right) fight over Cesario (Sherry Kopischke, center). BYU Young Company production of Twelfth Night. Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU. © BYU PHOTO 2016. All Rights Reserved. Performance Dates and Times: Feb. 3-5, 10-12, at 7 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 and 13. Location: Nelke Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $7 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

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