BYU-Idaho is set for tonight’s “Echo Effects” concert at the Manwaring Center, but this isn’t just any concert, it’s acapella. With intricate arrangements, a blend of unique voices and limitless energy, the show promises to wow audiences -especially since this will be Amy Palmer’s, the director of the women’s group Musai, final performance before her graduation.
“I have always loved music. My mom was a piano teacher, and all my siblings sing. I’m a theatre education major, and so that’s kind of the realm that I live in anyway. Music has just always been a foundation in my life,” Palmer said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio.
Before joining BYU-Idaho’s Musai, Palmer had never delved into the world of acapella. She had been in choir and heavily involved with music programs, but after arriving on campus, she found herself quickly embraced by the acapella community. Auditioning on a whim, she joined the group and never looked back.
As the director of the group, Palmer’s role is vital in shaping its repertoire and guiding each rehearsal. She chooses the songs the group will perform. She says it is an art and challenge itself. Palmer listens to each singer’s unique sound every semester and finds songs that embody that group’s energetic and empowering vibe.
“The songs kind of speak to you as you’re listening to them and you’re finding things that you like and say, ‘I could hear certain members of my group (sing this). They would sound really good on this,’” she said. “So, through practice and time, you kind of hear how it would all mesh together and it’s a really fun process.”
But unlike the challenge of choosing the music, time can be their greatest enemy. For tonight’s concert, the performing acapella groups have had four to five weeks to prepare. Balancing the sounds of the group and ensuring the performance will be cohesive, it requires Palmer and the members to be both adaptable and efficient when learning new songs. Although it can be overwhelming, Palmer says the experience is extremely rewarding, and she highly praises her group members and their efforts.
“(My group members) are just lights, they are so full of joy and excitement. Every time they come into rehearsal, they’re excited to learn a new song. And every song we show them, they’re excited to hear a new part and just learn,” Palmer said.
Palmer looks back at her time with BYU-Idaho’s Musai with a bitter-sweet feeling. Sad to be leaving her group behind after graduation, Palmer is more than hopeful for future auditioning members. Her advice for new members is simple, “just do it.”
“If you’re going to do something, do it spectacularly. If you fail spectacularly, great, you’ve learned something new. But if you don’t fail, then how spectacular will it be,” she said. “It can seem scary, but it’s really fun.”
As Palmer leaves her legacy of music and camaraderie behind, the excitement of one last performance awaits her. If you would like to experience the talent and hard work of the different acapella groups, the Echo Effects concert is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in the Manwaring Center’s Crossroads. You can purchase tickets ahead of time at tickets.byui.edu.