By TERI L. BROWN
Three years and two albums later, Extempo, a local a cappella group, will be giving their farewell concert.
But they are not breaking up because of hard feelings or the lack of success. Each member's future has simply gone separate ways. Soprano Mary Jane Jones is leaving in March to serve a mission in Thailand, singer Lowell Stewart is preparing to get married and the other members are going their own ways.
'We know each other so well we can be ourselves on stage. We are honest and not uncomfortable,' Jones said. 'People can tell we are comfortable and this makes the show more enjoyable for them.'
Extempo is not a barbershop quartet style, but contemporary a cappella.
All their music is produced with only their voices and bodies. Their unique style appeals to all kinds of people, ranging from grandparents to college students.
'I'll miss surprising the audience with the show. They come expecting barbershop. I love the surprise,' said vocal percussionist Jim Steele, who is completing his degree at BYU in sound recording. 'I'll miss performing vocal percussion with Extempo, too.'
Dave Boyce, one of Extempo's vocal percussionists, moved from Provo to Boston in July 1996, and will return for the final concert on Friday. Steele has been sitting in for him during his absence. The two will sing together on Friday.
Extempo has toured all over the nation and in Tokyo, including 21 states coast to coast.
One of their most memorable and humorous performances was at New Mexico State University in Los Cruces.
'This was the first concert we ever did where there were more people on stage than in the audience,' Jones said. 'It ranged from four to 12 people throughout our performance.'
Two of their other most memorable concerts were at the Provo Tabernacle, their first major concert, and their performance in Tokyo.
'In Japan they loved us,' said tenor and album producer Bob Ahlander. 'We loved it because it was Japan,' Jones said.
Extempo has released two CDs in their three years together. 'Channel 32,' their first album, was released in November 1995, and was nominated for three Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards.
Their second album, 'The Live Album,' features cuts from live concerts, including six improvisations and some of the group's favorite between-song jokes.
BYU is where it all started, Ahlander said. 'The a cappella community at BYU is very supportive. They are excited about it.'
'The interest in contemporary a cappella at BYU grew in such a short period of time. We, in part, attribute our success to them,' Ahlander said.
Provo is nationally known for having a strong a cappella community. BYU is hosting this year's collegiate a cappella semi-finals where BYU's a cappella group, Vocal Point, will be competing.
Vocal Point, the nine-man a cappella group, will be opening the show for Extempo on Friday.
Extempo is bidding farewell to their fans at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at Provo High School. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at all Provo/Orem Hogi Yogi and Best in Music locations, Mama's Cafe and the Provo High Main Office.