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.

Director Dr. Kevin Brower

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 first concert under the direction of Dr. Brower, "Brahms and Other Fancies" was November 5, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist in Idaho Falls. Our next concerts were "Our Spirits Soar and Other Flights of Fancy" in Idaho Falls on May 12, 2012 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church and in Ketchum, Idaho on May 19, 2012 in St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

On November 24 and November 26, 2012 Anam Cara presented "A Change of Season" in the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls.

For Spring 2013 we are working on some special things! In addition to recognizing the 200th birthdays of Wagner and Verdi, we will be celebrating music milestones from the last five centuries. Our May 11th and May 13th concerts will include music of Gesualdo, Handel, Verdi, Wagner, Britten and others.

AND that's not all! As part of a special fund-raising campaign for Anam Cara, the noted Southeast Idaho artist, Gene Sherman, has donated a wonderful Giclee print "White Dahlia", beautifully framed and matted by the artist. Every $10 donated to Anam Cara between March 18 and May 25, 2013 will entitle the donor to an entry into a drawing for the print, to be held in late May at the artist's studio. You do not need to be present to win. The watercolor painting was created from a visit to Butchart Gardens. The image is 13x17, the frame is 22x26, The photo below shows the image and the matting. But to get the full effect you need to see it in person. It will be on display around town starting in mid-March and will be displayed at our concerts.

White Dahlia matted

Anam Cara is funded strictly by generous donations and grants.

Director Emeritus Dick Brown

Anam Cara Executive Committee for 2012/2013
Dr. Kevin Brower, Artistic Director
Karel Kingrey, President
Ron Ayers, Vice President
Mike Schofield, CPA, Treasurer
Paula Way, Secretary

Anam Cara is Gaelic for "soul friend" and reflects our goal of sharing, as friends, the harmonies, inspirations, and joys of choral chamber music with our audiences and among ourselves. To achieve this, we strive to

• Attract the best musicians
• Encourage excellence in an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie
• Explore different forms of choral chamber music and establish audiences for them
• Provide audiences with music that broadens their understanding and appreciation of the choral art form
• Take performances exemplifying excellence in choral music into rural areas that do not normally have access to this type choir and where limited educational arts programs exist
• Develop an educational outreach program in the choral art
• Conduct workshops for schools
• Challenge the performers to continue to grow musically, as much as possible
• Become a regional performing organization
• Be an active part of the greater Northwestern choral scene