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Catonsville Singing Ensemble to Perform at Lincoln Center

This will be the second time the group known as the CUMCwhats will perform in New York City.

 

For roughly 10 years, a group of seven members of Catonsville United Methodist Church has been singing as a sextet at community events, church functions and for a larger audience at places like Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

But this weekend in New York City, the group will perform before one of their largest audiences yet at a concert at the Lincoln Center.

The concert is a Memorial Day concert featuring the work of composer Joseph Martin, whose songs the CUMCwhats sing regularly.

Jan Strevig, one of the group's members, said they are extremely excited to perform the composer's music before such a large audience. Choirs from across the country have been invited to perform, but there was only one other group from Maryland invited, she said.

The other members are: Deb Henkel, Richard Henkel, Glenda Henkel, Clinton Loar-Scott and Judy Loar-Scott.

The first part of the group's name, CUMCwhats is the initials of the church they belong to: Catonsville United Methodist Church. After starting with CUMC and not coming up with anything other than "CUMC what," the group stuck with CUMCwhats, which they pronounce like the word kumquats.

The connections among the members are numerous. Some are siblings, couples or have relatives who work for the same company. All have strong ties to Catonsville.

This will be the second time the group has performed in New York. The group went to Carnegie Hall in 2009. That experience, along with singing the National Anthem at Oriole Park, mark the high points for most group members.

Recalling the Carnegie Hall experience, member Judy Loar-Scott said singing on the stage with so many other people was truly special.

"When we sang the last song, I just wanted to stand there and smile because I didn't want to get off the stage," she said.

The group paid for their own way to travel to New York, but if you would like to donate them, contact Jan Strevig at jbrahms1@verizon.net

Related Topics: Catonsville, Lincoln Center, and catonsville arts

Susan Murrow

1:02 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012

Break a leg in NYC! Thanks for sharing your beautiful music with those of us lucky enough to be congregants at Catonsville United Methodist Church, who get to enjoy your music regularly! Thanks also for performing for the residents and staff of Glynn Taff Assisted Living & Ridgeway Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center -- they are rooting for you! You guys are terrific.

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Rosemary MIller

8:52 am on Friday, May 25, 2012

Thank you for bringing the joy of your music to our congregation and now sharing with New York. Best of luck.

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