Mid-Columbia Mastersingers back in Tri-Cities after once-in-a-lifetime performance in NYC

A group of Tri-Citians returned earlier this week from the Big Apple. But they weren’t just tourists — several dozen Tri-Cities residents were in New York City surrounding a performance at one of the most renowned stages in the world, Carnegie Hall.

The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers were part of a program at the iconic venue over the first weekend in June. The trip included several days for rehearsals and tourism, when many Tri-Cities locals took to the streets of NYC for the first time.

Mid-Columbia Mastersingers perform at Carnegie Hall

Their performance was part of a series through MidAmerica Productions, Inc., alongside the New England Symphonic Ensemble, conductors Lorissa Mason and Anne Lyman, and a handful of soloists.

Additionally, there were participating choruses from groups across the country, including several other Washington-based inclusions. The Sine Nomine: Renaissance Choir out of Seattle, Tacoma Community College Chamber Choir and Steilacoom High School Chamber Choir were among these groups.

The singers were at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage on June 1. The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers performed “Magnificat” as arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach, who director Justin Raffa said is “arguably the greatest and most famous baroque composer of all time,” in an interview with the Herald after the performance. After their portion of the program, they got to join the audience.

According to a press release from MidAmerica Productions, the Mastersingers were chosen for their “high level and quality of musicianship.”

This is the second year in a row the Mastersingers have been invited to be part of the series. But since the choral group is volunteer-based, and the trip requires singers to help pay their way, it’s not a requirement for members. Raffa told the Herald he offers it to the group, and whoever is willing tags along. Many of this year’s participants didn’t attend last year.

He’s pleased with the performance, and the continued relationship the Mastersingers are building with MidAmerica Productions. They’re expected to know their material when they get there, and Raffa was sure his singers were prepared for the task.

Showing Tri-Citians the NYC experience

The director is originally from the east coast, in a part of New Jersey that’s not far from Philadelphia. Because of this, he’s accustomed to New York City and the hubbub of a large metropolis. He said he loves showing people New York City for the first time, especially when it’s paired with taking singers to Carnegie Hall.

“For me, every singer should at some point in their career say ‘Yes, I sang at Carnegie Hall,’” Raffa said in the interview. “It’s just an incredible thing.”

Without programs like those organized by MidAmerica Productions, the average person might never see that opportunity. Raffa said some of his singers stepped onto the stage for the first time and were so overwhelmed by the experience, they couldn’t help but cry.

He took 40 of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers on the five-day trip provided by the program. The majority of them added on days before or after the scheduled days to really soak in the Big Apple, showing how much an opportunity like this can mean for eastern Washingtonians.

The residency program included rehearsal blocks in the days before the performance, and a dress rehearsal the day of. Raffa said they were done by 5 p.m. each day, allowing everyone to experience as much NYC nightlife as they’d like. They also had days purely for tourism.

Among the 40 singers, they experienced many things. From runs in Central Park, to world-class opera singers, from Broadway musicals to a harbor cruise with spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, they did it all. They visited some of the fine dining available, too. A group, including Raffa, dined at one of the Top 100 New York City restaurants, a “New American” tavern.

“We did all of the iconic things that you should do, especially if it’s your first time in the city,” Raffa said.

Comparing NYC to Tri-Cities, WA

With the promotional materials and program books including the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers from Tri-Cities, Washington, Raffa felt like they were ambassadors of sorts, representing Tri-Cities arts and culture while in the Big Apple.

He thinks they handled the task well, showcasing the talent and responsibility performers from Tri-Cities can maintain. Working with a conductor they’re unfamiliar with, the Mastersingers received positive feedback, and they’ll likely continue to be part of the MidAmerica Productions programs.

As a former teacher, he told the Herald he partially reverts back to that mindset when traveling with the Mastersingers somewhere they’ve never been before, wanting to look after everyone and protect them.

“The vibe of New York City is way different than Kennewick,” Raffa said.

But the trip didn’t require much protection, as the group felt safe throughout the trip. Some of the attendees are less mobile, but found no major issues during the travels.

“Everybody had a great time, we really couldn’t have asked for a better trip,” he said.

He was excited to take some of the singers to the Metropolitan Opera, not just for the show, but to show them what’s possible. Without a performing arts center in Tri-Cities, he feels like certain experiences are missed.

While there are many performance groups and many performances to attend in Tri-Cities, there’s no central location, no grand marquee. To be part of the arts in Tri-Cities, you have to work for it and seek it out. Raffa believes a performing arts center could have a massive impact.

“In the 16 years I’ve lived here, it has been my ongoing goal to support the efforts to build a beautiful, proper performing arts center that can house the wonderful art that we have here,” Raffa said. “It would be such a game-changer for the community.”

Performers here shouldn’t have to hop on a plane to New York City, or even drive to Seattle or Portland, in order to experience those grand marquees and decadent performance spaces. He hopes to see one in Tri-Cities some day, with support from the community.