Anam Cara

Founded in 1999, Anam Cara is an elite chamber choir of around 40 singers from Idaho Falls and surrounding communities dedicated to providing performing musicians and audiences musical experiences of exceptional quality. Since its inception – first under the baton of Arlen Clarke, followed by Dick Brown, and Dr. Kevin Brower – the choir has attracted singers of exceptional talent and training who are dedicated to performing a wide range of choral music from the Renaissance Period to fresh, new works of present-day master composers from around the globe. All choir members bring to the choir years of training, and a majority have music degrees enabling the choir to perform even the most challenging choral works. ​

The choir has received critical acclaim from audiences from Sun Valley to Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole and beyond including a European tour in 1999. More recently, the choir received critical praise for its 2019 collaboration with the BYU-Idaho Baroque Ensemble in its performance of Dixit Dominus by G.F. Handel at the BYU-Idaho Ruth Barrus Concert Hall in Rexburg and The Arbor Events Center in Idaho Falls.

Covid-19 and performance restrictions resulted in a year and a half long pause in rehearsing and performing. I June 2021, the choir kicked off it’s “Bring Back the Music” fundraising campaign designed to raise funds for celebrating the anticipated end to restriction and bringing music back to empty concert halls while giving musicians - some dependent on performing as their livelihood - an opportunity to resume practicing and performing live music. Due to the generosity of Anam Cara’s patrons and audiences and corporate sponsors, the choir raised over $20,000.

The choir resumed rehearsing in 2021 with a performance of Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) by Johannes Brahms for two-hand piano and soloists. The Bring Back the Music campaign culminated in a spectacular series of concerts at Ruth Barrus Hall and the Idaho Falls Civic Center for the Performing Arts with the theme “Wonder & Glory: A Light in the Storm.” Under the direction of Dr. Kevin Brower, the choir, accompanied by 25 instrumentalists and 5 vocal soloists performed JS Bach’s Magnificat in D Major and John Rutter’s Gloria.

Dr. Brower - who conducted the choir from 2011 to 2022 - announced his decision to step down as Artistic Director and the conclusion of the Spring 2022 Season. The Board of Directors has announced his replacement - Atina Coates - who will be leading the choir commencing with the Fall 2022 Season.