Organizers thank sponsors and volunteers and urge public support to sustain festival

Festival emcee Michael Marcelic and board members used the finale to acknowledge major sponsors, host families and volunteers whose support organizers said made the Montana International Choral Festival possible.

Marcelic named the festival’s major sponsors: the City of Missoula, the Montana Arts Council, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, NBC Montana and Byron Brewing. He also thanked the University of Montana and Adams Center staff, host families who sheltered visiting choirs for nearly a week, and hundreds of volunteers; organizers described the festival as a volunteer-run organization with a working board.

In a brief housekeeping announcement, Marcelic asked audience members to complete an on-site survey and a post-festival survey, saying responses help when organizers apply for grants. During closing remarks, guest conductor Dr. Anton Armstrong urged public support for public broadcasting, saying, “Please be raise holy hell with your folks, but then get your pockets out because if it's not gonna come from then it has to come from us.” Organizers did not present specific fundraising targets or a formal campaign at the finale.

Festival leadership recognized artistic director David Heidel, executive director Rita Pastore and board president Saxon Holbrook (whose message was read by Vice President Stephen Kalm); Holbrook’s message said he was hospitalized and thanked volunteers and donors for their work on the festival.

Organizers noted the festival’s reliance on sponsors, volunteers and community hospitality but did not announce new funding commitments at the event.