About Humanis

Humanis Sing for Peace (pronounced hju ˈmæ nəs) is a small, primarily a cappella ensemble of about 18 singers comprised of soloists and music professionals from the Pacific Northwest. Our repertoire spans centuries and genres—from early music to contemporary works. Frequently performed composers include Tavener, Poulenc, Stanford, Ticheli, Rheinberger, Byrd, and local artists like Joan Szymko and Humanis member David Foley. We also perform arrangements of folk, traditional, and popular songs.

We have performed regularly at The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, partnered with Cascadia Composers, and participated in Earth Day celebrations. We’ve hosted benefit concerts supporting causes such as immigration justice, refugee support, environmental activism, and homelessness, raising funds and awareness for nonprofits like IRCO, Family Promise, and IMIrJ. Our outreach also includes performances in schools, retirement communities, and studio recordings of new works by local composers.

Inspiration and Purpose

Humanis was founded in the summer of 2016 as a response to rising social unrest and a shared sense of helplessness among friends and family. Inspired by the closing words of the mass — Dona nobis pacem ("Grant us peace") — founding member Laurel Barnum brought together a group of passionate voices to share hope through song. Rooted in the shared language of music, Humanis embraces diversity and inclusivity.

Our Name — Humanis: Sing for Peace

Inspiration for the name, Humanis, comes from the ancient Greek philosophy that all music is broken down into three categories: musica mundana, musica humana, and musica instrumentalis. The second one, humana, names that we each add a unique, unseen harmony or melody to the universe. This echoes in modern music therapy research—that music has the power to heal the mind and body. Lastly, the more obvious meaning is both a Latin form of "human" and also humanism, the belief in "the potential value and goodness of human beings, [emphasis on] common human needs, and...rational ways of solving human problems."

Our Vision

We strive to:

  • Promote peace and understanding through music

  • Advocate for the voiceless

  • Bring joy to our community

  • Embody music as a universal language surpassing religion, race, or gender

  • Champion the bringing of people together

  • Sing for peace and serenity

Mission Statement

We use our voices to encourage peace, understanding, and joy in diverse audiences within our community by performing manifold and universally appealing works with a commitment to the highest standards of vocal artistry.

Group of ten people standing outside in front of a wooden fence, smiling for the camera, with trees in the background.
A choir of eleven singers, dressed in black, performing inside a church or chapel with an ornate altar, cross, and floral arrangements in the background.
Chorus group singing behind a piano during a performance, with sheet music on the stand.