Newell Weight

Newell Bryan Weight (August 1, 1916 – July 12, 2009) was a professor of music at Brigham Young University and founded its a cappella choir. He was later a professor at the University of Utah.

Early life

Newell Bryan Weight was born August 1, 1916, in Springville, Utah. His parents were Ralph and Minerva Bryan Weight. He was married to Dorothy Hill on July 20, 1936. The couple was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1939. They went on to have five children.

Weight attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and graduated with a master's degree in music education. He later graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate degree in music. Weight also studied choral techniques with Olaf Christiansen, who was a director of the St. Olaf Choir.

Career

Weight began teaching at Provo High School in 1948; however, he moved to teach at BYU in 1949. While teaching at the university, he founded BYU's Acapella Choir. When Weight began the choir, they accepted all applicants. As popularity grew and the talent increased, the choir became more selective. By 1954, they had over 500 applicants and only accepted 70. The choir sang a variety of songs including contemporary music, plainchants, folk music, and sacred hymns. Under Weight's direction, the choir became "regarded by many critics as one of the finest in the nation." During his time at BYU, Weight also worked with John R. Halliday. The BYU choir was also featured on "Colleges On the Air," a radio program from Mutual Broadcasting System, and made recordings in commercial studios.

Weight stayed at BYU until 1962 when he went to the University of Utah. Weight worked with their already established a cappella choir. The choirs he directed received two Grammy nominations. Weight became the chair of the Music Department. He retired from teaching in 1984, having taken many choirs from both universities on annual tours in the United States.

During his life, Weight was a member of the Good Sam's Club and the Golden Kiwanis Club. He was noted by music critics as "one of the nation's outstanding choral conductors." He died in Orem, Utah on July 12, 2009.