The Montana International Choral Festival opened its program with an acknowledgement that the event takes place on the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispel people, thanked sponsors and volunteers, and announced that photography and recording are banned.

Festival emcee said, “The Montana International Choral Festival acknowledges that we are in aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispell people.” The emcee also asked attendees to support festival sponsors and singled out “Stop and Bang” as the evening’s concert sponsor: “We would especially like to acknowledge and thank this evening's concert sponsor, Stop and Bang.”

As part of routine housekeeping, the emcee told the audience that “photography and recording of any kind is not permitted.” The emcee directed attendees to the festival website for the full, updated schedule and mentioned a festival finale concert scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. Festival merchandise was also advertised at a table in the venue.

The announcements combined ceremonial recognition, operational guidance for attendees and a request to support local sponsors. The recording prohibition was presented as a festival policy during the program remarks rather than as a citation of a law or municipal ordinance.