Arts and Entertainment
July 8, 2025
From: Montana International Choral FestivalSchedule:
Tuesday - July 15, 2025
Free Admission
7 - 9 pm
MICF Outreach Concert in Victor
(Mary Stuart Rogers Performing Arts Center)
Wednesday - July 16, 2025
Free Admission
1 - 3 pm
Masterclass with Guest Conductor, Anton Armstrong and Landes Jugend Chor Saar, UM Music Recital Hall
7 - 9 pm
MICF Outreach Concerts in Seeley Lake
(Seeley Lake High School)
Thursday - July 17, 2025
Free Admission
4 pm - 5 pm
Pea Green Boat MTPR Live - Dennison Theater
Performances by:
Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
Open to the public
4 pm - 5:15 pm
Choir Crawl - Florence Bldg, Msla Art Museum, Msla Library, ZACC
5:30 pm - 9 pm
Downtown ToNight, Caras Park
Sponsored by the City of Missoula and Park Side Credit Union
Special Program Support by the Bill and Rosemary Gallagher Foundation
Thank you to the Missoula Downtown Association for their support.
Official Welcome by Mayor Andrea Davis
Remarks by Dr. Anton Armstrong, 2025 MICF Guest Conductor
Remarks by Saxon Holbrook, Board President and
David Heidel, Artistic Director, and MICF Major Sponsors
Master of Ceremonies: Michael Marsolek
Performances by:
USA Missouri - Vox Nova
Georgia - Martve
Estonia - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
USA Montana - ‘Aiga Singers
Uganda - Franciscan Choir Kampala
Missoula guest choir - MPower
Germany - LandesJugendChor Saar
USA Montana - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
Estonia - Tartu Student Mixed Choir
Missoula guest choir - Five Valley Chorus
Friday, July 18, 2025
Admission with Festival Button
Conductors’ Seminar and Morning Classics
9 am - 11 am
Conductor’s Seminar with Anton Armstrong and Visiting Conductors, UM Music Recital Hall
"Current Trends in Estonian Choral Music"
Presenter: Kaie Tanner, conductor - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
How is the choral life and music education in Estonia today?
The best practices, structure of our choral scene, our biggest concerns and latest successes.
"Flexible Fach"
Presenter: Dr. Stevie J. Hirner, conductor - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
This presentation discusses gender affirming vocal pedagogy through science-informed practices. The techniques taught are universally applicable to anyone, regardless of voice type or gender identity.
"Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice: Our Calling As Vocal Music Educators"
Presenter - Dr Anton Armstrong, conductor - St Olaf Choir
This session will explore several motivating reasons we choose to follow our vocational calling as vocal music educators.. In addition, commentary will reflect upon ways in which we may become more inspirational choral pedagogues and nurture the people we teach as caring, compassionate and expressive people.
10 - 11 am
Morning Classics, Live on MTPR
Performances by:
Vox Nova
Estonia Tartu Student Mixed Choir
Friday Afternoon World Voices Concerts
2 - 3 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
USA Montana - ‘Aiga Singers
Germany - LandesJugendChor Saar
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
Estonia - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
USA Missouri - Vox Nova
4:30 - 5:30 pm
UM Music Recital Hall
Performances by:
USA Montana - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
Uganda - Franciscan Choir Kampala
Friday Evening World Voices Concerts
7:30 am - 9:30 pm
UM Music Recital Hall
Performances by:
USA Missouri - Vox Nova
Germany - LandesJugendChor Saar
Estonia - Tartu Student Mixed Choir
7:30 am - 9:30 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
Georgia - Martve
USA Montana - ‘Aiga Singers
Uganda - Franciscan Choir Kampala
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Admission with Festival Button
Afternoon World Voices Concerts
2 pm - 5:30 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
USA Montana - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
Estonia - Tartu Student Mixed Choir
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
Georgia - Martve
USA Missouri - Vox Nova
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Music Recital Hall
Performances by:
Estonia - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
USA Montana - ‘Aiga Singers
Evening World Voices Concerts
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
UM Music Recital Hall
Performances by:
Uganda - Franciscan Choir Kampala
Georgia - Martve
Estonia - Tartu Student Mixed Choir
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dennison Theater
Performances by:
Estonia - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
USA Montana - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
Germany - LandesJugendChor Saar
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Admission with Festival Button
3 pm - 5 pm
Parade of Nations Finale Concert
Adams Center, University of Montana Campus
Open seating, doors open at 2:15
This Finale Concert features a brief performance by each choir. It will conclude with a performance by the MICF Massed Choir, under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong.
Master of Ceremonies: Michael Marsolek
Performances by:
Georgia - Martve
"Imeruli naduri" (from the Imereti region)
USA Montana - ‘Aiga Singers
"Inkosi Namandla" - Micheal Barrett
Uganda - Franciscan Choir Kampala
"Nekyo Musengwa kyakoba"- Peng Kidera
Estonia - Estonian Radio Girls’ Choir
"Song of Hope" - Susanna Lindmark
USA Missouri - Vox Nova
"Unclouded Day" - arr. Shawn Kirchner
Germany - LandesJugendChor Saar
"Invictus" - Alwin M. Schronen
USA Montana - University of Montana Chamber Chorale
"World O World" - Jacob Collier
Estonia - Tartu Student Mixed Choir
"Let My Love Be Heard" - Jake Runestad
Combined Choir Finale
Dr. Anton Armstrong - conductor
Guest Local choirs: Missoula Community Chorus, Missoula Symphony Chorale, Dolce Canto, and Five Valleys Chorus.
"Grant Us Thy Peace"
Felix Mendelssohn/ed. Olaf C. Christiansen
Anne Bashor - piano
"For the Sake of Our Children" - Jeffery L. Ames
Bethany Rippeon - viola - Anne Bashor - piano
Troy Bashor, Dylan Vandeberg - percussion
"Dona Nobis Pacem"
(with audience participation - music is on the next page)
"I Sing Because I’m Happy"
Charles H. Gabriel/arr. Kenneth Paden/adapt. Rollo Dilworth
Anne Bashor - piano - Troy Bashor - percussion
"Auld Lang Syne" ("Times Gone By") - Scottish folk song (Conducted by David Heidel)
The traditional Montana International Choral Festival closing song. Audience participation is welcomed!
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne (Repeat)
Date: July 17 - 20, 2025
Location: Various Venues in Missoula, MT 59812