From Methodist Roots to Carnegie Hall: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa Comes to Strathmore
By Mittie Quinn
In these days of rapid changes and shifting landscapes, when we may feel our souls shaking, we turn to our faith for grounding. Often, we seek music as a means of solace, encouragement, or inspiration. It was for all these reasons and more that Catherine Wethington, award-winning coloratura soprano, curated a concert to honor Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. “Mother Teresa made difficult sacrifices in her life that led to incredible work that had a lasting impact in our world,” reflects Wethington, “she had this feeling deep inside from a very young age that God could accomplish a great work of love through her. Her example of humility and service is inspiring.” This concert, Journey of Faith: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa, premiered at Carnegie Hall in February 2025, and people from the Baltimore-Washington area will have the opportunity to be inspired by it on September 6 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore.
Catherine draws upon her own faith in curating this program. She was raised in a family with deep Methodist roots. Both of her grandfathers were UM clergy, and she currently serves as a Lay Member to the Virginia Annual Conference from her home church, Trinity UMC in McLean, VA. Additionally, she serves as soprano soloist in the church choir, and as Director of Youth Ministries.
Catherine joined Maestro Dante Anzolini in creating this tribute to Mother Teresa’s life journey, featuring music that represents the diverse influences and cultures that shaped her decisions and inspired her call to care for the poor, underserved, and marginalized. Mother Teresa was, in many ways, a woman ahead of her time, with a courage and conviction to overcome challenges and disappointments, in order to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. She was one of the most compassionate and transformative figures in modern history. The concert will feature a blend of traditional and contemporary works, including Fauré's Requiem in D Minor, pieces by Thoma Gaqi, Gustav Holst, Vladimir Vavilov, and Maestro Dante Anzolini, as well as three pieces by US composers: Philip Glass, Leonard Bernstein, and Missy Mazzoli. A highlight will be the Hymn for Mother Teresa, composed by Albanian composer Genc Tukiçi (with a melody by Lorenc Antoni), first performed at her canonization in 2016, and presented in Tirana, Albania, on October 19, 2023, marking the 20th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s beatification. The concert will feature the 74-member Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with guest conductor Maestro Anzolini. Ms. Wethington will be joined by international baritone Sean Michael Plumb and The Tribute Chorale, comprised of professional vocalists from the DC area, prepared by Maestro Joseph Holt. The concert will celebrate her extraordinary life of service and remind attendees of our shared humanity, as well as the power of kindness and charity. 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Missionaries of Charity, which Mother Teresa founded and which today serves in 139 countries.
The concert is being produced by EGC Productions, a DC-based arts non-profit corporation, dedicated to offering musical and artistic programs that inspire audiences to find purpose and meaning during these unpredictable and challenging times. Its founders, Olin and Nadine Wethington, also have deep Methodist roots, and their partnership is a historical journey of the United Methodist Church. They grew up and met through Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Youth Fellowship, and Olin was elected to be the first president of the newly formed United Methodist Youth Fellowship following the 1968 merger of Methodist and EUB denominations.
The concert is open to the public. For more information visit www.motherteresaconcert.org
Tickets range from $30-$120 and are available now at https://www.strathmore.org/events-tickets/in-the-music-center/journey-of-faith-a-musical-tribute-to-mother-teresa/, or the Strathmore Box Office at 301.581.5100.