Boise Music Week

President’s Message

Benjamin Coate — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:46:53 +0000

President’s Message – Kent Soelberg

Welcome to Boise Music Week 2026.

Since 1919 we have brought together outstanding local musical
talent to provide free performances every year to our community – the longest running free musical celebration in the United States. There really is nothing quite like it anywhere else – perhaps because there is nothing quite like the long-standing commitment of our community to value, encourage, and sustain music and the performing arts. As this year’s President, it is my honor invite you all to enjoy 9 days of free musical entertainment for all ages, brought to you through the contributions of many volunteers, generous sponsors, and faithful donors.

In 1995, our 4th grader sang with the Kiwanis Boys Choir at Boise Music Week’s School Night. Watching hundreds of young people perform in front of thousands of parents, educators, and friends was inspiring – quite a change from our previous experiences in a metropolitan school district with no general music or arts programs. Eventually, members of our family participated in eight Boise Music Week musicals, and we started volunteering as President’s members. With our children grown, I joined the Board of Directors in gratitude for all it has brought to our family and community.

Our 2026 season celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We start with Jazz Night (South Jr. High), Music in the Park (Gene Harris Band Shell) and the colorful Dance Night (Borah High Auditorium). Other returning favorites include Community Worship Night (First Presbyterian Church), Children’s Music Series (Hillcrest Branch/Boise Public Library), four days of Noon Organ Recitals (First Presbyterian Church), Showcase featuring the Treasure Valley Concert Band and the Biotzetik Basque Choir (Borah), and the ever-popular Silent Movie/Theater Organ performance (Egyptian Theater). Our production of the Broadway musical “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on the Morrison Center stage is a light-hearted look at life on the corporate ladder.

To better accommodate school calendars, two major events featuring the talented youth of our area have been moved to late fall. School Night now offers multiple concerts in the Morrison Center with selected choirs, bands, and orchestras from the Boise School District. A youth musical is also planned to be staged with gifted teen-aged singers and dancers in a fun-filled show.

Boise Music Week is an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization. There is always a place to help and we hope you will join us. We need volunteers in many capacities – from cast and crew for performances, event chairs and helpers, to set design and construction and event greeters. You may have something we don’t even know we need yet. Getting involved with Boise Music Week is easy, just check out the Volunteer link on our website. You can also contact me personally at kent.soelberg@boisemusicweek.org.

It takes a lot to bring all this free fun to you. Please consider donating to Boise Music Week. We thrive on our support from The Morrison Center Endowment Foundation, and from local corporations and patrons like you. Every donation is appreciated. Scan the QR code in tonight’s program, or click the DONATE tab on the website. Enjoy the shows!

Kent Soelberg
President, Boise Music Week

President’s Message 2024

Benjamin Coate — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:47:00 +0000

President’s Message – Roxanne Coate

Welcome to Boise Music Week. For over 100 years (since 1919) we have brought outstanding free musical performances to the Treasure Valley. We are the longest running free musical celebration in the United States. I have served as a president’s member, Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and now President. It is my honor this year to bring 10 fun-filled days of free musical entertainment for all ages.

My involvement began in 1993. My best friend stopped by my house knowing that I had done theatre and choir in high school. While driving to tryouts she explained that Boise Music Week is a spectacular tradition in the area. Soon I was singing in the chorus of my first Boise Music Week musical, Oklahoma. Thus began my involvement with Boise Music Week. Since then, I have performed in five more shows, singing, dancing and some small roles. I have also helped with hair and makeup in shows I didn’t perform in. My family has performed with me and my niece and nephew have joined in too.

I love attending the events each year. This year we kick off with Exceptional Young Musicians at JUMP. The Noon Organ Recitals at St Michaels Cathedral and International Dance Night are a couple of my favorites. Showcase features local groups and is always an outstanding concert. Music in the Park has a great lineup this year. Jazz Night is back this year. Our Worship Night has changed venues this year. Our newest event is a Variety Night for fun and laughter. We have all of the locations, times, and dates on our website, accessible on the Events Page.

Boise Music Week is an ALL volunteer organization. We never have enough people, if you wish to help, contact us. Not everyone is musical, but we need volunteers in many other capacities. Set design and building, event chairs and helpers, greeters at events, you name it, we need it. Getting involved with Boise Music Week is really easy. On our website go to the Volunteer link and sign up. You will not regret it. You can also contact me personally at roxanne.coate@boisemusicweek.org

Please consider Donating to Boise Music Week. We thrive on our donations from corporations and patrons. Every donation is appreciated. It takes a lot to bring all this free fun to you.

Roxanne Coate
President, Boise Music Week

President’s Message 2023

Benjamin Coate — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:36:45 +0000

President’s Message – Roxanne Coate

Welcome to Boise Music Week. For over 100 years (since 1919) we have brought outstanding free musical performances to the Treasure Valley. We are the longest running all free musical celebration in the United States. I have served as a President’s Member, Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and now President. It is my honor this year to bring 10 fun-filled days of musical entertainment for all ages.

My involvement began in 1993. My best friend stopped by my house knowing that I had done theatre and choir in high school. While driving to tryouts she explained that Boise Music Week is a spectacular tradition in the area. Soon I was singing in the chorus of my first Boise Music Week musical, Oklahoma. Thus began my involvement with Boise Music Week. Since then, I have performed in five more shows, singing, dancing and some small roles. I have also helped with hair and makeup in shows I didn’t perform in. Eventually my husband, son, and daughter got involved and singing.

I love attending the events each year. The Noon Organ Recitals at St Michael’s Cathedral and Dance Night are a couple of my favorites. The Showcase Concert features local groups and is always an outstanding concert. Music in the Park is back and we have a great lineup this year. Recently we created a Boise Music Week Youth Choir. We have all of the locations, times, and dates on our website: 2023 Boise Music Week Events.

Boise Music Week is an ALL volunteer organization. We never have enough people so don’t hesitate to contact us. Not everyone is musical, but we need volunteers in many other capacities. Set design and building, event chairs and helpers, greeters at events, you name it, we need it. Getting involved with Boise Music Week is really easy. On our website go to the Volunteer link and sign up. You will not regret it.

Please consider donating to Boise Music Week. We thrive on our donations from corporations and patrons. Every donation is appreciated.

Roxanne Coate
President, Boise Music Week

Boise Music Week COVID Policy

bmwalanz — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 17:05:49 +0000

Boise Music Week’s Board of Directors places the highest priority on the safety and health of our patrons, performers and volunteers. For this reason we strongly encourage everyone attending Boise Music Week events to wear face masks, out of respect and caution for those attending and performing during the pandemic. Some of our events this year may require masks. We reserve the right to turn away or ask people to leave who show signs of illness. You assume all risks relating to contracting any communicable disease by attending or participating in a Boise Music Week event, and waive all claims and potential claims by doing so. Thank you for your cooperation. Together, we can remain healthy and strong.

BMW Events 2021

bmwalanz — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 02:11:26 +0000

Boise Music Week events will be virtual from May 2nd through May 15th 2021. Event listing can be viewed under the Events menu item.

President’s Message July 2020

bmwalanz — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 04:16:24 +0000

A message from Our President; Shannon Smurthwaite

To our loyal Friends, Patrons and Corporate Donors of Boise Music Week:

I would like to thank each of you for continued support of Idaho’s own 101 year-old non-profit organization devoted to the celebration of music. We operate solely on thousands of volunteer hours and your generous monetary donations. This has been a unique time for Idahoans and in particular, the Treasure Valley, as we navigate new paths and constant change to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our wonderful community. We are the longest-running organization of its kind in the United States. Boise Music Week has been the recipient of the Mayor’s Award, Governor’s Award, Award for Excellence in the Arts, regional wards for performers and countless other accolades that spotlight the efforts of simple, grass-roots commitments to keep this century-plus tradition alive for your family and generations that follow.

We’ve weathered the Great Depression, World War II, and several financial crises in our country. Still, fostered by the love of music and the arts, we remain a free venue to the public. We’ve never charged a dime for admittance into any of our uplifting, family friendly events. I think it can be said we’ve offered joy and hope in times of turbulence and the unknown. We are committed to that, especially, today.

For those of you who knew we would not have our 2020 season and told us to keep your donations, large or small, I thank you deeply. Like other non-profits we have monthly expenses. We continue to welcome, with our gratitude, your tax-deductible contributions. They can be made via this website or sent to: Boise Music Week, P.O. Box 155, Boise, ID 83701.

Lastly, our Board of Directors and Event Chairs are currently working hard on plans for our 2021 season. We are extremely excited for what’s ahead! Feel free to visit our website for updates. We have a delightful line-up that will both entertain and inspire you and budding young musicians, whom we encourage to attend and participate.

On behalf of our entire organization, thank you so very much for your love of the arts and community. Without you, we would not be moving forward.

Stay well!

Shannon M. Smurthwaite, President
Boise Music Week
Celebrating the Arts since 1919

Farewell Brent Karlberg

bmwalanz — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:54:10 +0000

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Brent Karlberg, Production Manager at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, suddenly passed away on March 23, 2020. Brent was instrumental in all peformances on stage at the center, and nothing happened on his stage without his approval. Boise Music Week was the grateful beneficiary of his expertise, and most especially his friendship, for many, many years. He had a fondness for our volunteer organization, and understood that we had a 100+ year legacy in the community and a reputation to protect. He also knew our funds came solely from donations and grants, so he always did whatever he could to help us stage a production that was beautifully and professionally designed and built cost efficently as possible, and he worked overtime every year to ensure that. He was a beloved member of our production team and his participation was appreciated by the board of directors and the community at large who supported our musical theater productions on that stage since 1998. Whatever will we do without his vision, his talent and generous spirit…

Brent, in this, your second act, Break a leg!

Brent Karlberg with Allyn Krueger

BMW 2020 Season Cancelled

bmwalanz — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 17:36:02 +0000

(Boise, Idaho – March 18, 2020) The Executive Board of Boise Music Week announced today that all Boise Music Week events of the 2020 season have been cancelled in support of our community’s efforts to limit the effects of the Corona Virus pandemic. For the first time since the inaugural 1919 season, no Boise Music Week events will be held.

The Executive Board recognizes the impact this decision has on our performers, volunteers, venue providers, and on all of our friends and supporters affected by this historic circumstance. Our primary interest is the safety of all involved.

Beverly Schumacher, President of Boise Music Week, expresses her appreciation to the event chairs, performers, directors, production staff, and our community partners for their efforts in preparation for the 2020 season. The Executive Board would continue to welcome tax-deductible donations online or mailed to P.O. Box 155, Boise, ID 83701-0155.

We encourage everyone to remember the power of music during this challenging time. It is our plan to bring you this unique celebration of music next spring, and hope to see you all in 2021.

2019 Pictures

bmwalanz — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:46:48 +0000

Photos from Boise Music Week 2019 have been loaded. There are photos for many of the events.

Auditions for Into The Woods

bmwalanz — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:44:22 +0000

Auditions to be held November 2nd and 3rd. Signups are on the website under the Volunteer menu.