Every three years the Idaho International Choral Festival is held in Pocatello. This cultural festival celebrates people of different cultures through choirs from across the world. The public can join this unique event happening July 14-19.
“I have to say these choirs are amazing and many of them, they'll come in their traditional attire, and they'll dance around on stage while they're singing,” said Artistic Director Jeffery Francom. “Our audiences are going to be quite impressed at the caliber of singing from these ensembles.”
The participating choirs are Boys’ Choir DAGILĖLIS, Chorus of Change, Huaxia Chinese Chorus of New Jersey, ISU Alumni Chamber Choir, a regional high school honor choir, Salt Lake Chinese Choir and Spring Women's Choir.
The choirs will come from Lithuania, Kazakhstan and parts of the United States.
Though Francom will be new to the Idaho International Choral Festival in Pocatello, he has background experience with international choirs and works as the director of choral activities at Idaho State University.
“I was quite involved within International Choral Festival down in Argentina where I lived for six months in 2023,” Francom said. “And that sort of inspired me to even apply for this position here at Idaho State University where we'd be able to do something similar every three years.”
July 15 at 9:30 a.m. is the welcome ceremony. Community concerts will be held July 15-17 at 7 p.m. in the Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the Stephens Performing Arts Center and Goranson Hall in the Fine Arts Building at Idaho State University.
“So, these concerts will be happening simultaneously. Three choirs in each venue,” Francom said.
On July 16 and 17 at 11:30 a.m., a free outdoor concert will be held in the Idaho State University Quad. Three to four choirs will perform each day.
The Gala Concert will be held July 18 at 7 p.m. in the Jensen Grand Concert Hall. It will feature all the choirs.
This international choral festival is unique because it is not competitive. It’s a celebration of music. The choirs join the community culture by performing, socializing and living with hosts families for the week.
“It's about allowing these choirs to mingle,” Francom said. “And so, we’ve got some social activities that are meant to kind of help them become friends with each other.”
Individual tickets are $10, family passes are $25, or individual all events tickets are $30.
“For those who have never experienced something like this before, it's going to be transformative,” Francom said.
To learn more or donate go to idahointerchoralfest.org.