Lutheran Church to Host Pamela Whitman’s Quartet

STONE HARBOR – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour will feature Pamela Whitman and her Playmates Quartet in “The Universal Experience” April 6 at 3:00 p.m. Free will offerings will support the programs and services of the church. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour is located at 9212 Third Ave in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The concert is being generously underwritten by John L. Curto, Paul and Dr. Mary Yurashevich.
The Universal Experience features Flutist Pamela Whitman leading her Playmates Quartet performing music to inspire Love, Faith, Freedom, Joy and Peace. The concert includes music spanning time, space and genre, including world music performed on Pamela’s ethnic flutes, much loved classical music and fresh jazz from Claude Bolling’s California Suite and rarely heard Second Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano.
Members of the Playmates Quartet speak the language of music, wherever they roam. They enjoy making music and having fun. The spirit of fun attracted them to the music of Claude Bolling, which can be heard throughout The Universal Experience. The Playmates believe that the audience ought to have fun too and they are committed to performing music that makes people feel good. Versed in a variety of musical styles, the group performs an eclectic program with emotional themes that resonate throughout humanity.
Pamela Whitman’s award-winning, genre-defying concerts have illuminated audiences in Asia, Central America, Europe and America since 1989. Whitman’s commitment to inner and outer peace shines through her contemplative, thought provoking performances, masterfully rendered on her collection of flutes from around the world. Pamela founded Compassionate Heart Productions in 1989 to produce concerts delivering a message of inner and outer peace to diverse audiences. In the summers she enjoys playing classical favorites by the sea in the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, where she is the Principal Flutist. An ordained minister, Pamela joyfully leads spiritual groups at Unity by the Shore in Neptune, New Jersey and via International Conference Call. Listeners in 113 countries tuned in to Pamela’s radio broadcasts for ten years. Pamela Whitman communicates music, peace, joy and love. Pamela earned a degree in Flute Performance from the University of Michigan. She is a descendent of the great American poet Walt Whitman.
Scott J. Breiner has been seen playing the organ with his head! He is also a gifted pianist and choirmaster. He has been the Music Director at Grace Lutheran in Somers Point, New Jersey, since 2007. He serves as musical director and accompanist for local choruses and musical theater groups in the South Jersey area. He is a member of the Southeast Jersey chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He has served as guest conductor and guest organist with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. In July, 2005, he became the director and one of the founders of the Cape Shore Chorale, a chorus consisting of sixty local singers based in Ocean City.
Rich Kurtz is one of the most experienced bassists working today, having performed thousands of live and recorded appearances. He has performed with top artists such as Jackie Evancho, Ray Charles, George Benson, Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Cetera, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Feinstein, Andrea Bocelli and Shirley Bassey, appearing with Ms. Bassey at Carnegie Hall. Rich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Education.
Jason Koenig plays drums and percussion in theatre, orchestral, choral and small ensemble settings throughout South Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York City. His “beat” has included The Masterworks Choir and Orchestra, Grace Music and Arts Foundation, Cape Shore Chorale, and the historic Bucks County Playhouse Theater in New Hope. Jason is the Director of Bands at Hammonton High School where he enjoys inspiring the next generation of musicians.
This year Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour is celebrating one hundred years of welcoming all people to faith in Jesus Christ. There have been renovations and additions to the church building over the years as the congregation continues to grow. The historic pipe organ, which will be featured in the April 6 concert, was installed in 1930. The Universal Experience is one of the highlights of the church’s month-long celebration of their music program. Rev Glenn Schoenberger began serving the active congregation of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in the early 1980s. He leads his congregation with a message of love, gratitude and joy. The community is invited to join this afternoon concert in celebration of these universal themes.