Mid-Columbia Mastersingers was founded as "Consort Columbia" in 1986 by Estyn Goss, as an elite choir of auditioned singers. Since its beginning, the group has been a versatile one, having embodied at times a musical theatre group, symphonic chorus, operatic chorus and also serving as the umbrella organization for a children's choir. Mr. Goss led the group for 10 years, and following artistic directors included Reginald Unterseher (1996-2004) and Robert Bode (2005-2008), with Justin Raffa taking the position in 2008. Since his arrival, the choir has continued to grow in musical excellence, has become more widely-known throughout the community, and has dramatically increased its budget. Organizational focus has included musical excellence and diversity, outreach to the large Tri-Cities Hispanic population, and collaboration with other arts organizations. •Vision We envision a world where choral music is valued and supported by the community and is accessible to people of all ages and cultures. •Mission The mission of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers is to transform lives through the power of choral music. •Values We value inclusivity and embrace diversity. We are committed to music as a bridge across cultural, economic, and social differences; and, to expanding the diversity of the choral repertoire. 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 value participation and community engagement. We believe that choral singing can foster understanding and serve as a catalyst for positive change.