BYU introduced a new youth vocal camp involving Vocal Point and Noteworthy which is set to start this upcoming June.
The camp is titled "Y We Sing," and early registration has opened and will continue through Mar. 31. As part of registration, participants are required to submit an audition.
Carson Trautman is the director of Vocal Point, Noteworthy and the Y We Sing camp. He said he is hoping auditions will showcase the singer’s voice without becoming a stressful process for those auditioning.
“We're looking for basic things like can you sing in tune? Can you sing a melody in tune? We're looking for them to put their best foot forward and for stage presence. We want smiles,” Trautman said.
Trautman said Y We Sing has similarities to a previous camp, called Remix Vocal Academy. One similarity between the two camps is the idea of “selfless artistry”.
“As musicians, and as artists, we create art not for our personal gain, but for the benefit of others,” Trautman said. He explained that the name Y We sing "is kind of a nod to that selfless artistry purpose.”
Vocal Point and Noteworthy members shared how this approach to music has influenced their lives.
“I think the music videos and the social media content (is) fun, but everything that we do serves a purpose,” Jensen Diederich, a current Vocal Point member, said.
Kassie Sanders, a current member of Noteworthy, shared her thoughts as well.
“Just getting to talk to people after the show and getting to know them and getting to know their lives … that’s one of my favorite parts of performing,” Sanders said.
As youth attend the camp, there are several hopes and goals that Trautman, as well as Vocal Point and Noteworthy, have for attendees. One goal is confidence.
“I would hope that it would encourage the kids to keep going and to keep trying,” Sanders said. “If this is really something they want to do, then go for it, because why do something else if this is what you really love?”
Another goal all three mentioned was creating lasting friendships.
“You'll learn how to use music to make the world a better place,” Trautman said. "But you may find a lifelong friend there and that is a huge reason to come.”
Diederich shared why this was a goal as he thought about his experience with Remix Vocal Academy.
“I'm grateful that I went to those camps, because it helped me form long lasting relationships and I think people just need that sense of community,” Diederich said.
Overall, they aim to create an uplifting experience for youth who love music.
“Music should be celebrated,” Diederich said. “I think this camp shows how to celebrate music.”