The Chamber Choir of Idaho, Anam Cara, was founded in 1999. We are a non-profit, tax exempt, 501 (c) (3) performing arts organization and give concerts throughout Southeast Idaho. In 1999 we traveled to Ireland and were taped for three segments of the "Joy of Music" television series with Diane Bish, that were broadcast throughout the United States in 2000. Our compact disc, "Sing Me to Heaven", with recordings from Kimmage, Ireland and from several performances in Idaho, is available for purchase. Other CDs, including "Music of the Sistine Chapel" with compositions by Palestrina, have been recorded and are also available for purchase.
Anam Cara has gained a reputation for excellence in performing important works of all eras, from Renaissance masses to modern Jazz and Blues. In 2005 we joined with the Caritas Chorale of Sun Valley to perform a new oratorio based on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Click on CONCERTS on the left of this page for additional information.
Members of Anam Cara and the Caritas Chorale took the new oratorio, along with other American selections, to Italy, Austria, and Germany in June of 2005. The group of 47 singers gave ethusiastically received concerts in Tegernsee, Bavaria; and in Mira, Italy just outside of Venice; and in Viareggio, Italy near Florence. The combined choir performed an encore concert of the Lewis and Clark oratorio in Spring of 2006 in Boise, Idaho. The combined choir also performed Mozart's Grand Mass in c minor in Ketchum, Idaho in early 2007.
In May 2007, Anam Cara presented three free concerts of "Psalm of David" by 20th Century American Composer Norman Dello Joio. This dramatic and exciting work was first performed in 1951. We know of no commercial recordings currently available. The three concerts also included John Tavener's "Two Hymns to the Mother of God" first performed in 1985.
In February 2008 we presented a free concert of Music of the Flemish Renaissance featuring compositions by Josquin des Prez, considered by many to be an original master of Renaissance Polyphonic music.
In May and June of 2008 we again presented free concerts of modern music featuring Jazz, Blues and Show Tunes, titled "Red Hot and Blue Too".
In November 2008 we performed two free concerts of Handel's great "Dixit Dominus" with orchestra in Idaho Falls and Ketchum, Idaho.
In May 2009 Anam Cara presented two free concerts featuring Heinrich Schutz and other composers who preceded J.S. Bach.
In November 2009 we presented two free concerts of "Byrd Songs" featuring music by the great William Byrd (c1540-1623).
In honor of Felix Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday, Anam Cara performed two free concerts in Spring 2010, featuring works by Mendelssohn.
For our December 2010 concerts we featured a selection of carols edited and arranged by David Willcocks and John Rutter. The texts ranged from 14th century to modern, and represented traditions from England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Flanders, New England, and Appalachia. There was even one with a Calypso flavor.
On May 7, 2011 and May 8, 2011, Anam Cara members joined Dick Brown's Caritas Choir for performances of Norman Dello Joio's "Psalm of David" and two works by Morten Lauridsen in Ketchum, Idaho. Both concerts were in St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
In July 2011 Anam Cara conferred the title of Director Emeritus upon Dick Brown. In this role he will continue to be a permanent part of our organization, but will not be required to make the long drive from Sun Valley to Idaho Falls for our rehearsals. In September 2011 we were pleased to begin rehearsals with our new Artistic Director, Dr. Kevin Brower. Dr. Brower is Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho.
Our next concert "Brahms and Other Fancies" is planned for November 5, 2011 in Idaho Falls at 7:00 PM in Trinity United Methodist Church.
Anam Cara is funded strictly by generous donations and grants.
