Idaho International Choral Festival 2023

The 2023 Idaho International Choral Festival (IICF) will once again feature choirs from around the world on the ISU campus July 12-16.

IICF Artistic Director Dr. Scott Anderson reports, "we are so excited to host choirs from Catalonia (in Spain), China, Costa Rica, Poland, Uganda, San Francisco, and the USA right here in Pocatello, Idaho!"  

Anderson says that the festival will also feature a 65-voice IICF High School Honor Choir, led by Guest Conductor Dr. Nicole Lamartine, which is comprised of high school singers selected from choral programs around the state of Idaho. “These Idaho students will experience musical and cultural exchange with international singers, and represent our state during the Festival,” he says.  

Anderson says, “All of us who make up the IICF Board are incredibly grateful to the hundred or so families in the Pocatello area who open up their homes to house international singers for the week of the Festival.  We simply could not hold this event without the support of the Pocatello area community, and the hospitality of families around the area."

Participating choral groups include "Veus - Cor infantil Amics de la Unió," a 47-voice mixed youth choir from Catalonia in Spain, conducted by Josep Vila Jover; the 35-voice mixed chorus "Coro Intermezzo" from Costa Rica, conducted by David Ramirez; the "Pan African Choir Uganda," a 25-voice mixed chorus, directed by Simon Yiga; the "Poznan Boys' Choir," a 40-voice choir of men and boys from Poland, conducted by Jacek Sykulski;  the "Tiantai Temple Buddhism Conservatory Choir," a 60-voice chorus which is the first monk choir in Buddhist history, conducted by Shi Wule; the "Spring Women's Choir," a 25-voice adult women's choir from San Francisco, CA, conducted by Wenbo Deng; the "Portneuf Chamber Singers," a 12-voice choral ensemble comprised of singers from Pocatello, Idaho, led by Elissa Jones; and the "IICF High School Honor Choir," a 65-voice chorus of high school singers selected from programs around the state of Idaho, conducted by Dr. Nicole Lamartine from Central Washington University.

All choirs will be officially welcomed to Pocatello during the IICF Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, July 12 at the Portneuf Wellness Complex Amphitheater, beginning at 9:00 a.m. 

Evening concerts featuring multiple choirs will be held simultaneously at two ISU venues, Frazier Hall, and Jensen Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, July 12,13, and 14. The Festival GALA concert, featuring all choirs in Jensen Grand Concert Hall, will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16.  

Tickets for concerts may be purchased at the ISU Ticket Office (208-282-3595) Stephens Performing Arts Center, and are $10 for single person/single event, $30 for single person/all events, $30 family/single event, $50 family/all events. Tickets may also be purchased at either Jensen Hall or Frazier Hall the evening of the event.

Idaho International Choral Festival 2023

Choirs from around the world, and a regional Idaho high school honor choir, will be engaging with the community and sharing lunchtime and evening concerts for all.

Lunch concerts are free to the public. Admission for the evening concerts is $10 per person for a single event or $30 per person for all evening events. An all-event pass for families is also available for $50.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

9-10:30 a.m.

Welcome Ceremony and choir performances

Amphitheatre Portneuf Wellness Center

7-9:30 p.m.

Concerts at Jensen Hall and Frazier Hall featuring various choir groups

Thursday, July 13, 2023

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lunchtime concert on the ISU Quad

7-9:30 p.m.

Concerts at Jensen Hall and Frazier Hall featuring various choir groups

Friday, July 14, 2023

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lunchtime concert on the ISU Quad

7-9:30 p.m.

Concerts at Jensen Hall and Frazier Hall featuring various choir groups

Saturday, July 15, 2023

7-10:00 p.m.

Gala Concert, Jensen Hall featuring all choirs