MID-COLUMBIA MASTERSINGERS

We value artistic achievement and innovation.

The ensemble is committed to: excellence in choral performance and repertoire; supporting and inspiring singers, conductors, and composers; and, developing new audiences through innovative approaches and outreach efforts.

We value collaboration.

We are committed to building partnerships and sharing our enthusiasm with the local arts and educational communities.

We envision a world where choral music is valued and supported by the community and is accessible to people of all ages and cultures.

In the fall of 2014, we began a Boys' Choir as a response to an identified need in the community. The success of that program propelled us to expand the Mastersingers Youth MY Choir program to four choirs, open to all youth ages 9-18. The choirs are unauditioned, and fees are kept intentionally low so that there are no financial barriers to participation.

Studies show that when youth are engaged in music and singing they are more likely to stay in school, more likely to graduate, and have higher test scores, In addition, they feel reduced levels of stress, more empathy for the people around them, and a greater sense of community.

In addition to the youth choirs, we provide free tickets to our concerts for all K-12 children to encourage exposure to the performing arts.

We provide opportunities for community singing through choral workshops and festivals. We perform at many community civic events. We program music that is relevant to current social issues with the goal of engendering positive communication in our community.

We have a committed and active Board of Directors.

We have a staff of 13, including a dynamic Artistic Director, and highly capable Managing Director, both of whom are strategic thinkers.

We have a volunteer adult choir 180 strong. and a dedicated core of volunteers.

We have a staff of 8 managing the Mastersingers Youth MY Choir program.

We have an amazing group of loyal supporters who contribute both financially and with their time. While we do have a small group of major supporters, we are proud that over the past several years we have flattened out our donor base to the point where we have well over a hundred continual contributing donors.

We have a total budget of 250K plus, and while fundraising is always a constant pressure, we are continually searching for new income streams.

The implementation of the Boys' Choir and recent expansion to four choirs in the Mastersingers Youth MY Choir program is an exciting accomplishment.

we recently held the 7th annual School Choral Festival, a day-long event for middle and high school students where they come together for workshops, clinics, rehearsal, camaraderie, and of course singing. There is no cost to the students to attend, and for many students in our lower income schools this may be the only opportunity they have to participate in a safe, fun, non-competitive environment. Since its beginning more than 2,000 students have participated in the program.

This year we are creating a scholarship for a graduatin senior who wishes to continue to pursue music in their post secondary education.