The Choir was founded by Dr. Kathy Sorensen. Her doctoral research involved interviewing immigrants and refugees and asking them to sing their favorite songs. Many people interviewed had left oppressive regimes which had destroyed their instruments and outlawed their traditional folk music. Whole generations had grown up without their musical heritage. She believes music warms hearts and unites people, and that multicultural music allows us to share another person's culture and thereby, a part of his or her soul. Singing a simple children's song in a person's native language lets that person know we care enough to go to the trouble of finding and learning their language and music. VIPs from other lands have gotten tears in their eyes when their own childhood songs are sung by the ICC.
The International Children's Choir began 20 years ago as a natural outgrowth of Dr. Sorensen's research. The ICC is world renowned for singing in many languages and performing in authentic, colorful costumes from around the world.
The ICC was invited to represent the American Continent in the Opening Ceremonies of the World Choir Olympics in Xiamen China, and received multiple medals during the competition involving over 20,000 participants.
They have also performed in: Austria, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Norway, and Russia. The choir has sung for the Dalai Lama, royalty, heads of state, at national and international festivals and conferences, and for hundreds of dignitaries and delegations from around the world. They received the 2005 Pearl Award for best Holiday CD, O Come Little Children and the National George Washington Medal of Honor from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. (See our Store)
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the children performed in Light of the World in the Conference Center and Welcome the World concerts in Abravanel Hall with the Utah Symphony. They also sang in the Cultural Olympiad concerts in the Tabernacle with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Fredericke von Stade, John Williams, and the King Singers. The Music Educators National Conference featured the ICC on its PBS TV special, The World's Largest Concert and at its national convention. The ICC was also featured on a number of other PBS specials, including A Gift of Music with the Tabernacle Choir. The choir has performed with Dr. Robert Breault, Kurt Bestor, Donny Osmond, Alex Boye and many other incredible artists.
They also performed Mahler's Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony, Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with the Orchestra at Temple Square, and Carmina Burana, I Pagliacci, Otello, La Boheme and Hansel and Gretel with the Utah Opera.
They have sung for over 300 different VIP events, including the Dalai Lama and President Hinckley's birthday gala in the Conference Center. They have also sung for video game and movie soundtracks and trailers, such as Series of Unfortunate Events, Advent Rising and the Messengers.
But of course, our choir members are from right here in Utah; from different backgrounds, races and religions. Everyone is welcome! (See Photo Gallery)