The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, the premier choral ensemble of the Mid-Columbia region, and artistic director Justin Raffa look forward to an exciting "silver anniversary" season featuring guest composer-in-residence Reginald Unterseher.

Unterseher's year-long residency will include performances of his original works, plus community and school workshops and special events. On Sept. 10, he will lead a Choir Festival for church choir singers at First United Methodist Church in Kennewick. Free community forums to explore relevant musical topics will take place at the Mid-Columbia Library in Kennewick at 2 p.m. on Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Feb. 5, March 25 and April 22.

In their 25th anniversary season, the Mastersingers will present a dazzling repertoire of five concerts and many special events. Concerts included in the 2011-2012 Subscription Series are "Songs of the Saints" on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2; Handel's Messiah with the Walla Walla Symphony on Dec. 11; "Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest" on Dec. 16 and 18; "From Darkness into Light" on March 2, 3 and 4; and Carmina Burana with the Mid-Columbia Symphony on May 12.

Additional special events and concerts this season are the Male Ensemble Northwest Festival for Male Singers on Oct. 8; a Mid-Columbia Christmas with the Mid-Columbia Symphony on Nov. 27; "Friendraiser 2012: Masquerade" on April 27 and a second Carmina Burana, this time performed with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra on May 19.