The Katherine L. White Choral Fest — a five-day celebration of song — will unfurl from April 23-27 at Vashon Center for the Arts.

While only in its second year, the Kay White Choral Fest — as it’s more informally known — has roots that go back much further. The foundation for the event was laid nearly a decade ago, along with the foundation of the building where the festival is held.

For years, islander Kay White sang with the tenors of the Vashon Island Chorale, and her passion for choral music inspired her to become the lead donor to construct a state-of-the-art performance hall where her beloved Chorale could someday perform.

Eight years later, in 2016, VCA’s Katherine L. White Hall opened its doors to stand as a testament to her passion, and although White died the following year, at the age of 96, her legacy lives on today in the Choral Festival.

The idea for the festival was hatched in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing left so many pining for the ability to come together in song. With the five-year anniversary of the opening of Katherine L. White Hall scuttled by social distancing, the dream of a festival that would fill the hall with beautiful choral music was held close by Choral members.

Last year, the opportunity finally arrived, with the first Kay White Choral Fest providing a joyful antidote for the emotional side effects of the pandemic.

And even now, VCA Executive Director Allison Halstead Reid noted that choral music — and a festival dedicated to it — has a new relevancy.

“Whenever we feel divided, whenever louder voices make us feel like we have no voice at all, choral music is there to offer another perspective,” Halstead Reid said. “Listening and working together in harmony, singing out boldly, and hearing the power of our combined voices holds a deeper resonance today than perhaps it had before.”

This year’s festival boasts an impressive lineup.

Vashon Island Chorale

The Chorale will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

The 74-member choir, accompanied by pianist Linda Lee and under the direction of Dr. Gary D. Cannon, will sing music inspired by two great poets. Island composer Bill Wood will bring a suite of pithy songs on verse by Emily Dickinson. Soprano Mary Lawrence has a solo and six passages will be recited by members of the Chorale.

The Chorale’s repertoire will also include “The Lovers,” by Samuel Barber, celebrating the poetry of Pablo Neruda, with baritone Andrew Krikawa as soloist. Other featured singers include tenor Gary Koch and soprano Amy Cole.

The Chorale’s program also includes the world premiere of a new work by Chorale singer Bev Reil, commemorating the Lahaina wildfire of 2023.

Choir of the West

The Choir of the West, Pacific Lutheran University’s premier choral ensemble, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Founded in 1926, it has toured worldwide and performed at numerous conferences of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association.

Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble

Formed in 1992, Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble specializes in 19th to 21st-century choral music, with an emphasis on works written in the last 50 years. Led by Founding Director Loren W. Pontén, the ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25.

Mirinesse Women’s Choir

Mirinesse Women’s Choir, performing at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26, is known for the beautiful sound of its healthy, classically trained adult women’s voices singing repertoire from historic and contemporary sources throughout the world.

Choral Arts Northwest

Choral Arts Northwest will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Focusing on justice, empathy, creativity, and diversity, the choir uses its platform to engage to champion social causes and highlight the music of composers who identify as BIPOC, female, or LGBTQIA+.

Byrd Ensemble

Described as “pure and radiant” (Gramophone) and “immensely impressive” (Early Music Review), the Byrd Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27. The ensemble is acclaimed for its performances and recordings of chamber vocal music, particularly Renaissance polyphony.

Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

(Center right) Kay White, for whom the Kay White Choral Fest is named, and choirs in this year’s fest: (bottom row, left to right) Mirinesse Women’s Choir, Choral Arts Northwest, Bryd Ensemble (top row) Vashon Island Chorale, Opus-7 Vocal Ensemble, and the Choir of the West. (Courtesy photos)