About Us
How We Got Started
Biotzetik (“bee-oat-se-teek”), which in Basque means “from the heart”, was founded in 1986 by a small group of Basque community members who loved and wanted to learn more about Basque music. With guidance and assistance from local and Basque Country music directors, the group grew its membership and musical repertoire to include a wide breadth of a cappella choral arrangements, folksongs and general harmonized Basque music.
Our Mission
The Mission of the Biotzetik Basque Choir is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate Basque music and culture.
Boise, Idaho has long been a central location where Basque immigrants congregated after coming to the United States from the Basque Region. As immigrants established their lives here, Basques became well known for their hard work and perseverance.
Biotzetik Basque Choir provides a look into the Basque heritage through the tradition of choral singing, spreading Basque musical heritage and culture to people worldwide. The choir has become a focal point for musical and educational events in which people of all backgrounds can learn about and participate in Basque activities.
Our Regular Gigs
Since 1987, we have performed for Jaialdi International Basque Festival, hosted in Boise, Idaho, occurring every 5 years, singing at Morrison Center’s Festara!, occasionally with the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, dignitary receptions such as for the Basque Autonomous President at the Boise Center on the Grove, and Jaialdi opening ceremonies. Additionally, we provide the liturgical music for Jaialdi Masses.
We host “Kantari Afaria,” a popular Boise event during which patrons enjoy a Basque dinner, concert, and a lively auction. This is our annual, often sold-out, fundraiser.
Biotzetik serves as music ministers for select Catholic services during the year: the annual Boise Basque Mass in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola the end of July, Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and co-sponsors of Omenaldia, a memorial mass for deceased members and friends of the Basque community held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church near the feast of All Saints.
When requested by local families, we provide music for weddings and funerals.
During the holidays, we often spread holiday cheer to senior citizens throughout a day of Christmas caroling at local homes for the elderly. We occasionally perform a holiday concert at the Idaho Capitol Building, sing for Christmas gatherings, and participate with other holiday groups.
Our Awards & Events
Biotzetik received the Idaho Governor’s Award in the Arts, in 2006, recognizing our contributions to the arts in the State of Idaho and beyond.
In September 2023, we collaborated with the Boise Philharmonic Twilight Concert series to present “Ilunabarreko Kontzertua”, an evening of Basque chamber music, choral singing and dance.
We traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival – Basque Innovation by Culture, providing concerts, singing workshops, cooking presentations, and children’s education sessions. We performed a full concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2013, we sang at the Festival of Sails in San Diego, California.
Biotzetik traveled to New York City in February 2010 to perform at the opening of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center’s Ellis Island exhibit, Hidden in Plain Sight: the Basques.
In 2001 and 2006, we traveled to the Basque Country to perform and participate in music workshops.
We toured to Northwest Basque clubs (Portland, Seattle, Vancouver B.C., and Yakima) in 2003.
We participated in the Leavenworth Accordion Celebration in Washington.
We have toured to many Western United States Basque clubs to participate in their annual festivals.
Biotzetik has sung throughout Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State and Vancouver, British Columbia for a variety of folk festivals and tour promotions.