Kids and grown-ups alike can hardly wait for the greatest sing-along, dance-along ever when Cathy and Marcy hold their 25th annual Family Music Party.
Strathmore will burst from its seams as songs from the duo’s latest EP, Bonnie Rideout’s Scottish fiddle and nostalgic numbers by children’s music icon Ella Jenkins reverberate throughout the concert hall.
Adding to the fun are Cathy and Marcy’s Alumni Chorus, the Rockville High School Pipe Band and special secret guests to keep the room rocking.
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer met at a festival in Canada in 1980 and began performing together with the premise that everybody can sing, dance, make rhythm and share the love of music with others. Add a soupçon of silliness and soon the shyest children in the room will begin clapping, singing and reveling in the fun of making their own kind of music.
“The members of our Alumni Chorus are the kids who grew up on our music and sang on our albums back in the ’80s and ’90s,” Fink said. “We have a multigenerational following today made up of grandparents and their children who have become parents and now bring their own kids to our shows. No iPod can replace the excitement of participating in music together, and nothing encourages children to love music more than parents who listen to music with their children — really listen — and make music with them. It doesn’t matter if you have good voices. I tell parents to get a ukulele, learn a few chords, and they’re on their way.”
Cathy and Marcy’s expertise in family-oriented music encompassing folk, country, swing, jazz and traditional styles has been a bonanza for them and their young audiences who have scooped up their 50-plus recordings. Many youngsters have been inspired to emulate the two by taking up the guitar, banjo and mandolin, as well as the ukulele. Along with virtuoso performances on their multiple instruments, Cathy and Marcy spread joy by singing, yodeling, clucking like chickens, cavorting in goofy costumes and encouraging audience participation.
“All of us believe in music and community,” Fink said. “We go on our separate paths, but always come together with joy. This past summer, Marcy and I performed with the Children’s Chorus of Washington at the Ihlombe South African Choral Festival. The recording we made together isn’t due out officially until spring, but secret copies will be available at our show.
“The audience will be surrounded by music from the time they enter the lobby until they leave. The Alumni Chorus will be there to welcome them, and the Rockville High School Pipe Band will send them on their way. The excitement all around will confirm the magic that happens when families make music together.”
