At the Montana International Choral Festival finale, emcee Michael Marcelic of Montana Public Radio announced that the Missoula Mendelssohn Club — the men’s community chorus that helped found the festival in 1987 — has decided that 2025 will be its final year of existence as a musical organization.

The announcement came as the festival celebrated its founders during the closing concert. Marcelic said the festival and the Missoula community owe the group “our deepest thanks” for long-term sponsorship and support.

The Missoula Mendelssohn Club helped establish the festival in 1987; festival organizers noted the event later shifted from a triennial schedule to a biennial rhythm. At the finale Marcelic tied the club’s contribution to the festival’s identity, saying the gathering was built on “friendship and a shared love of music.”

Organizers did not announce a formal succession plan, a final concert by the Mendelssohn Club, or any follow-up actions at the event. The festival continued its scheduled program after the recognition.