Global Musical Celebration Comes to Southeast Idaho
Idaho State University is hosting the Idaho International Choral Festival this week, bringing together eight choirs from across the United States, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and China for five days of performances and cultural exchange in Pocatello.
The festival, running July 14-18, marks the third edition of the triennial event that began in 1999. It represents one of the region’s largest gatherings of international vocal ensembles, with choirs traveling to Bannock County to participate in what organizers describe as a celebration of music without competitive pressure.
“They love making music with other musicians. We are a non-competitive festival, so they’re not competing against each other,” said Barbara Kurtz, executive director of the Idaho International Choral Festival.
Lineup Spans Continents and Musical Styles
Participating ensembles include the Boys’ Choir DAGILĖLIS from Lithuania, the Chorus of Change from Kazakhstan, the Huaxia Chinese Chorus of New Jersey, the Spring Women’s Choir from California, the Salt Lake Chinese Choir from Utah, the ISU Alumni Chamber Choir, and a regional high school honor choir drawing singers from across Idaho.
The participation of Kazakhstan’s Chorus of Change marks a significant addition — the first time a choir from that nation has joined the festival. Kurtz highlighted the unique opportunity this creates for Pocatello audiences. “How many people in Pocatello have ever heard a Kazakhstani song? You’ll hear it at their concert,” she said.
The festival also underscores ISU’s role as a cultural hub for Southeast Idaho. The university’s commitment to hosting international ensembles aligns with its broader educational mission, similar to other academic programs that have garnered national recognition, such as the College of Eastern Idaho’s dual enrollment program, which recently earned national accreditation.
Schedule and Community Access
Opening ceremonies take place Wednesday, July 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Pebble Creek Ski Area, with Pocatello and Chubbuck mayors attending. Evening concerts run nightly Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m. at Jensen Grand Concert Hall and Goranson Hall on the ISU campus.
The festival offers free public access to outdoor concerts Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. on the ISU Quad, where attendees are invited to bring their own lunch. A gala concert concludes the festival Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. at Jensen Grand Concert Hall.
Seventeen volunteers are supporting the festival’s events and logistics. Beyond the performances themselves, host families throughout the community are opening their homes to international singers for the week, facilitating personal connections and cultural exchange.
Commitment to International Arts Education
The festival represents ISU’s sustained investment in the arts and international engagement. The university’s cultural programming continues to draw regional and national attention to Pocatello as a destination for music education and performance.
The next Idaho International Choral Festival will be held at ISU in 2029, maintaining the three-year cycle that has made it a landmark event on the institution’s calendar and a distinctive offering for Bannock County residents seeking access to world-class choral performances.
For more information on the festival schedule and concert locations, attendees can contact Idaho State University directly or visit the campus during event hours this week.
What Comes Next
The Idaho International Choral Festival continues through Saturday evening, with performances scheduled nightly and outdoor concerts available free to the public. The gala concert Saturday closes the five-day event. Following this year’s festival, ISU will host the next edition in 2029, continuing a tradition now spanning nearly three decades.