Students and performers from across campus gathered on April 1 for Brigham Young University's annual language choir concert, showcasing music, language and culture from around the world.
Organized through the BYU Center for Language Studies, the event featured multiple choirs representing a variety of linguistic and cultural traditions.
Curtis Isaak, the German Choir director, said the program includes between seven and nine choirs, though not all groups participated this year.
The concert featured performances from European, Polynesian and Latin American traditions, as well as a choir for international students learning English.
Each group performed music in various languages, showcasing distinct styles and cultural backgrounds.
The program concluded with a combined performance of “I Am a Child of God,” during which performers and audience members sang together in multiple languages.
Audience members said the event emphasized both cultural diversity and shared identity. Roswitta Castillo, a student from the Language Immersion Student Residence, attended the event with her roommate. She was especially interested in the mariachi performance.
“We came for the mariachi band,” Castillo said. “I just love learning about culture.”
She said the final number was her favorite part of the evening.
“We come from all different cultures, but at the very end, we’re all family,” Castillo said. “We are all children of God. I think that was my favorite part.”
Performers also described the concert as an opportunity to share their heritage. David Nielsen, a member of a Tongan class who participated in the Polynesian ensemble, said the experience allowed him to represent their culture and faith.
“It was a beautiful opportunity to perform and see different cultures,” Nielson said. “We’re thankful to sing about our Savior, Jesus Christ, and come together," Nielsen said.
He added, "There is so much diversity within our community, and it's important that we recognize everyone and share what we love in these cultures, and in our testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
Nielsen said performers felt confident on stage, noting that Polynesian singing traditions emphasize strong, unified voices.
Other participants shared how they became involved in the program. Kimberly Soltero, a member of the mariachi group, said she joined unexpectedly but found a sense of belonging.
“I ended up accidentally joining the mariachi band, and I’ve had the best time,” Soltero said. “Everyone’s so welcoming.”
She encouraged other students to participate in cultural programs.
“If you like listening to it, you’re going to like doing it,” she said.
For some performers, the experience also provided a connection to home.
Another mariachi participant, Lalo Torres, said joining the group helped him cope with homesickness while studying in the United States.
“When I found out there was a mariachi, I said, ‘I want to be part of this,’” Torres said.
He added that music can help bring people together.
“We need to proclaim peace," he said, "I think one of the best ways to do it is through music and (sharing) culture."
Torres said learning about different cultures can make the world a better place.
The concert has grown over time. Isaak said the event began as a small collaboration between a few groups and expanded as additional language choirs were invited to participate.
“Each year it got a little bigger,” he said.
Today, the Center for Language Studies helped to coordinate the event.
Ben Tischner, director of the Scandinavian Choir, said the concert offers a unique experience for both performers and audiences.
“It was fascinating to hear so many different languages in one concert,” Tischner said.
He hopes more students will attend future performances.
“I just wish more people knew about it,” Tischner said.
Arnica Hull, a student at BYU, sang in the German Choir. Her experience highlights the variety of language-learning opportunities at the university.
“I did a study abroad in Vienna, Austria, last semester. Then I heard about the German choir and decided I should join it,” Hull said.
She said, “I'm in a German class right now, and we got a little bit of extra credit for doing the German choir.”
“Performing was so fun,” she added. “Languages are amazing.”
Isaak said the concert will continue as an annual event.