Concerts

“Music Mosaic”

In creating a mosaic, an artist will assemble a colorful array of fragments, usually bits of glass, stone or ceramic. Cementing these pieces together results in a stunning piece of artwork, often displayed on walls or floors or in art galleries.

Highlighting the concert will be the appearance of seven “guest conductors,” who are also Canticus members. Dr. Scott Peterson, Canticus founder and artistic director, said he wanted to share the podium with others.
“I don’t need to conduct every piece of every concert,” he said. “We have people who possess conducting talents and we want to show them off in a different context.”

The guest conductors have each selected a single composition for the choir to perform. Here’s a short sketch of one of the conductors and the choral piece that she will direct:
— Seiko Inada Werts, a native of Hiroshima, Japan, is a versatile singer, pianist, arranger, and conductor. After 22 years teaching English and directing choirs and musicals in Japan, she moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2010 and became active with the Kirkland Choral Society as soprano, accompanist, and Associate Artistic Director. She’s also a much sought-after soloist in both Japan and the United States.
Werts has selected Hans Bridger Herutgh’s “Joy,” a piece set to Sara Teasdale’s poetry. According to Werts, the composition reminds us of music’s power to connect and uplift, and ends with the line, “I am loved, I will love.””
For his role as conductor in the March 8th concert, Peterson will direct the premiere performance of “February” by local composer Randy Hathaway.
“This new work is for choir and piano and reflects the cold and dark of the late winter,” Peterson said.

“Christmas with Canticus” And the Olde Towne Singers

December 14, 2025

Englewood Christian Church

511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Our “Christmas with Canticus” performance featured guest artists, the Olde Towne Singers. They are members of the Wenger Family who perform throughout the region in Dickens era costumes. Steve Wenger is the patriarch of the family and has been a member of the Canticus tenor section since our second season. The Olde Towne Singers have performed in Leavenworth often during the holiday season and have appeared at holiday festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The program also included a variety of choral music from the holidays including new music such as “Blessed Be That Maid Marie,” an interesting setting of an old Latin hymn by the contemporary composer Susan LaBarr. “What Child Is This?” and “I Saw Three Ships” are two energetic arrangements by Mark Riese.

The Seasons Turning

November 2, 2025

Englewood Christian Church

511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

The concert title comes from the final line of a poem by Charles Anthony Silvestri set to music by composer Ola Gjeilo. While there is no particular theme for the concert, the poetry and music reflect various concepts of what the term “seasons” means, according to Dr. Scott Peterson, Canticus founder and artistic director.

“Sometimes we are talking about seasons of the year such as autumn and winter, but we also mean events within a lifetime — birth, youth, and death,” Peterson said. “Silvestri’s poem compares seasons of weather to human emotion, which is the underlying concept of this concert.”

Alway Something Sings

Englewood Christian Church
511 N. 44th Ave.
Yakima, WA 98902
May 4, 2025

Canticus Vocal Ensemble
and guests:
CWU  Wildcat Chorus
Yakima High School Honor Choir

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Canticus Vocal Ensemble closed its 10th Anniversary Season with a concert of choral music reflecting the welcome arrival of Spring’s warmth and light. The concert’s title “Alway Something Sings” comes from a poem by one of America’s most celebrated poets, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Besides highlighting the talented vocalists of Canticus, the  concert featured the Central Washington University Wildcat Chorus and the Yakima High School Honor Choir comprised of singers from six high schools throughout the Yakima Valley.

Connections: Our Earth, Ourselves

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
March 2, 2025

Canticus Vocal Ensemble
CWU Chamber Choir

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

A Canticus Christmas

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
December 15, 2024

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

10th Anniversary Concert

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
November 3, 2024

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Tis the Month of Maying

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
May 5, 2024

Canticus Vocal Ensemble
Yakima High School Honor Choir

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Music About America

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
March 3, 2024

Canticus Vocal Ensemble
The Camerata Club of Yakima

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Christmas With Canticus

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
December 10, 2023

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Music of the Stage

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
November 5, 2023

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Sing to the Future

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
May 7, 2023

Canticus Vocal Ensemble
CWU Vox Divina
CWU Wildcat Chorus

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Return, Renew and Revive!

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
March 5, 2023

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist

Christmas With Canticus! Together Again!

Englewood Christian Church
511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA
December 11, 2022

Canticus Vocal Ensemble

Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Conductor
Anne Schilperoort, Accompanist