Noteworthy, 2009, California
BYU Noteworthy, the top women’s a cappella group on campus, is quickly rising to stardom. The group was founded in 2004 by Esther Yoder to create vocal performing opportunities for women. Since then, Noteworthy has been one of only two all-female groups to win the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In 2009 the group competed on NBC’s show The Sing-Off, and their participation gave Noteworthy significant exposure.
In the years after The Sing-Off, the group performed in the 2010 Hong Kong International A Cappella Festival and launched their own YouTube channel. Their “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” music video has gone viral; with over 66 million views, it is the most popular video in BYU music history, even beating out athletics, interviews, and devotionals.
When asked what the group means to her, current member Skylar Mertz says, “As a group of nine unique women, we have the special opportunity to show not only the range of female singing voices but also the huge range of positive qualities that women can bring to the table.”
