Mid-Columbia Mastersingers to put on out-of-this-world performances at CBC planetarium

Karlee Van De Venter
·2 min read

Since its creation under a different name in 1986, the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers has brought together elite singers to form a versatile choir prioritizing musical excellence. Putting on a multitude of shows each year, the group has covered a diverse range of topics in its performances.

In recent years, a staple of a Mastersingers performance is a distinctive venue that compliments a musical masterpiece, coming together for a complete and immersive experience.

The upcoming show, “Helios,” fits this exactly, as the space-centered work will be performed in the planetarium at Columbia Basin College.

Mid-Columbia Mastersingers at CBC planetarium

“Helios” is an a cappella choral work by Timothy C. Takach, performed by the Mastersingers’ chamber choir with vocal soloists Adrienne Fletcher, Karl Hedlund, Molly Holleran and Jeremy Irland, directed by Justin Raffa.

“Positioned at the nexus of science, faith and humanity, Helios spins a narrative of order and chaos, exploring that which is within our control and that which is not and shows we have the power to change our trajectory,” states Takach’s website. “The music provides a constantly changing landscape of textures, soundscapes, vocal techniques and harmonic language.”

The performance will be accompanied by visual projections on the planetarium’s panoramic viewing dome. Helios is just over an hour in showtime.

Tickets are $35, available for purchase online.

There are concerts Feb. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m., as well as a Saturday matinee at 4 p.m.

Immediately after the Saturday evening performance is an after-party on-site supporting the Mastersingers and the youth choir. Light eats and dessert from Cafe Magnolia will be offered along with wine from Col Solare, and “some surprise MCM magic thrown in,” according to the event listing.

An additional ticket must be purchased for the after-party. Individual tickets are available for $35, couples tickets for $35 and groups of 4-6 can reserve a table for $180.