Idaho State Music Professor Dr. Scott Anderson Announces Retirement

Dr. Scott Anderson, a cherished figure within Idaho State University's music department and the arts community in the region, will retire at the end of the current academic semester, marking three decades of dedicated service to the university and its broader community. As Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Anderson leaves behind a profound legacy of musical excellence and community engagement.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Anderson has been instrumental in shaping the university's choral program and elevating its prominence both locally and internationally. Under his guidance, the ISU Choirs have garnered widespread acclaim, earning invitations to perform at prestigious divisional and regional conferences, as well as completing nine international tours. The choral program's reputation for excellence has attracted talented students and faculty alike, cementing its status as one of the Northwestern United States' foremost undergraduate choral programs.

“He brings an intense, mind-blowing love for singing and choral singing,” said Dr. Geoffrey Friedley, Instructor of Music at ISU. “I’ve never met anybody who loves choirs and what choirs do as much as Dr. Scott Anderson.”

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience working with Dr. Anderson these past few years,” says Adam Redd, a Music Major studying Piano and Commercial Music. “He’s a fantastic choral educator and believer in the power of corporate music-making. It’s been such an honor to perform in his Chamber Choir, and quite fun too!”

 Anderson’s leadership has been marked by the establishment of landmark musical events, including the Idaho International Choral Festival, which has grown into one of the United States' premier international choral gatherings since its inception in 1999. Additionally, the ISU Choral Invitational Festival, launched in 1993, has consistently drawn hundreds of high school students to the Pocatello campus each October, fostering a culture of musical exchange and collaboration.