In the hall of the third floor of the music building, 10 women practice meticulously, making sure every note is hit perfectly.

A certain pride can be seen in their smiles.

They know they have something worth taking note of this year.

Noteworthy, the Univer-sity's 12-woman a cappella ensemble, has released its long-awaited CD "every hour."

The album has been in the works for about two years, and Noteworthy has created a Web site where their CDs can be purchased at (www.UGA Noteworthy.com.)

The first half of the CD was recorded at Treesound Studios in Norcross with the 2001-2002 Noteworthy group.

Treesound Studios has seen the likes of Elton John, Outkast and the Dave Matthews Band. Yet Treesound engineer Zack Odom was so impressed with Noteworthy's sound, he could hardly contain his enthusiasm, said Noteworthy member Laura Bashaw, a senior from Jonesboro.

"He really got excited because he had never recorded a group like us before," Bashaw said. "He actually stayed up all night working on it."

The women spent two days recording at Treesound.

The second half of the CD features the 2000-2001 group and was recorded at Full Moon Studios in Watkinsville.

Noteworthy is an audition group that branched out from the Women's Glee Club. Every member of Noteworthy also is a member of the glee club, though an audition isn't required to join the glee club.

One of Noteworthy's most impressive talents is its ability to create the instrumental background of a song with their voices, said Noteworthy member Greta Lowery, a senior from Waycross.

"One of the coolest things is taking things you hear on the radio and making it sound just like it with only our voices," she said.

The name of the CD is taken from a motto of the Noteworthy women: "Every hour we spent together lives in our hearts."

Most girls in the group are not planning a career in music, but are participating in Noteworthy simply because they love it.

"We're not music majors," said Meredith Oakey, a sophomore from Peachtree City. "We're doing this as a passion."

Noteworthy used to sing more folk and spiritual music but their previous director, and producer of "every hour," Mark Lamback, took them from a classical to a pop sound within three years.

Now songs like "Don't Speak" by No Doubt and "Stay" by Lisa Loeb dominate their repertoire.

Graduate student Dale Grogan now has taken over as director of Noteworthy.

"It's an odd situation," Grogan said. "They're really their own directors."

Noteworthy hopes to put out another CD this year, even if it is only six tracks or a simple Christmas album. A tour also is on the minds of Noteworthy members this year.

"We love to travel around the community," said Note-worthy President Elissa Hilles, a junior from Atlanta. "We're hoping to go on a tour out of state, possibly even to Europe."