Westminster Performing Arts

Westminster Performing Arts provides a variety of programs for our community each year.  We usually hold between 4-6 performances in a year but this year we are blessed to have even more programs to offer than usual.  

In 2024 you can look forward to... 

The Burton Memorial Organ Concert Series

In honor of Doug and Laura Burton, and underwritten by Philip Burton of Burton Jewelers in Anacortes, this series will feature 4 concerts throughout the year.  Each concert will feature a local or international player.    

The Burton Family: Nurturing Art and Community
Laura and Doug Burton were much loved and respected local jewelers in Anacortes. They met in September of 1958 and married in April of 1959. Though both have passed away, their energy is still moving Anacortes and the Skagit Valley forward. Laura was a double major in English and music at the University of Washington and taught high school English, as well as choral and elementary music, in the Anacortes school system from 1959 to 1966. In her younger years, she was a church organist and
piano teacher in Seattle. Laura proudly gave birth to son Philip in 1966. For decades, Laura greeted customers at Burton with kindness, wry wit, laughter, and joy, remaining an avid supporter of local artists, performers, and writers throughout her colorful life.
 
Doug worked with his father Phil D. Burton who founded Burton Jewelers in 1930. He almost completed a four-year business degree at University of Washington but came home to help run the store when his father’s health began to fade. Doug had a keen
interest in and appreciation of European culture, music, art, horticulture, and fine food. He was stationed in Trieste during the Korean War, and during his leave-time was able to travel around Europe. As soon as young Philip could travel internationally, the worldly trio returned to Europe many times, largely to explore Italy, Switzerland, France, and England.

In honor of his parents, Philip Burton is generously investing Burton Estate resources in classical music performances and related events in the Pacific Northwest Region. An avid golfer, musician, expert gemologist, raconteur, and Skagit Valley adventurer (often
on motorcycle with his wife Holly), Philip is a living repository for Doug and Laura’s love of the arts and unending civic spirit.

Philip is delighted to join his beloved parents in continuing the Burton tradition of promoting cultural enlivenment and enriching the Anacortes community.

Wayne Gilreath - May 19th @ 3pm

The first concert will feature Wayne Gilreath, a friend of WPC and organist from Atlanta, GA.  Wayne has several degrees in Piano and Organ performance and collaborative piano.  He is a sought after performer for both national and international concerts and conferences.  You can look forward to his concert on May 19th at 3pm. You can find a video of him performing here. 

Dr. Wyatt Smith - June 23rd @ 3pm

Dr. Wyatt Smith
  Hailed as a performer with “nuance, polish, and personality” (Michael Barone, APM Pipedreams), Wyatt Smith is an American concert organist appearing in both solo and collaborative performances throughout the United States and Europe, performing repertoire spanning from old masters to major works by living composers. Wyatt has performed in 28 states of the USA, along with Germany, France, and England. He can also be heard on ten episodes of American Public Media’s Pipedreams, performing works from J. S. Bach to Margaret Sandresky.

  An advocate of new music for the organ, Wyatt has commissioned and premiered works by Emma Lou Diemer, Margaret Sandresky, Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, Carson Cooman, Craig Phillips, Kurt Knecht, and more. These commissions include works based on chants and chorales, programmatic pieces, and chamber music.

  Wyatt performs with Tracelyn Gesteland, mezzo-soprano, as the Gesteland-Smith Duo. Together they have commissioned, premiered, and recorded new works for this ensemble, as well as promoting a historical breadth of existing repertoire. Their first program and set of commissions can be heard on the compact disc Make a Joyful Noise (RAVEN OAR 989), recorded on the 1925 E. M. Skinner organ at the University of South Dakota.

  Wyatt Smith holds degrees in organ performance from the University of Washington (DMA), Yale University (MM), and the University of South Dakota (BM). His primary mentors include Dr. Carole Terry, Dr. Martin Jean, and Dr. Larry Schou.

  Wyatt Smith is represented by Seven Eight Artists.

Dr. Randall Wilkens and student Caleb Haskins - July 28th @ 3pm

Performers Dr. Randall Wilkens and student Caleb Haskins

Dr. Hannah Byun - August 11th @ 3pm

We also look forward to hosting Hannah Byun of Seoul, South Korea.  Previously an organist in Seattle and chapter president of the American Guild of Organists for the area, Hannah will bring a variety of styles to her concert.  Her attention to detail and expertise is evident in all her playing.  Hannah has also been the harpsichordist for our Messiah sing concerts in the past. Find out more about this performer here.

Messiah Sing-along Concert

Thank you to all those who participated in making the 2024 Messiah Sing-along a success! You can find the recording of the live stream here.

Summer Theatre Program

This year’s show is TBD.

Our performances will be in July.  Exact dates are TBA.  Check back for more info!  

Donations

We always provide our programs free of charge to the community, but these concerts do take a considerable amount of money to put on.  You can always make a donation to help support our programs by giving online here (link or button) or by contacting Gillian Westerman, our director of Music, Worship, and Arts at music@wpcanacortes.com, or at one of our events.