Ruth Rowan was certainly surprised when, in the middle of her interpretation of MUSE's 25th Anniversary Concert, she was honored with an Enduring Spirit Award. Her friends and family nominated her for her tireless contribution and service making music meaningful to ALL people.

Friends of Therese Edell nominated her for MUSE's Enduring Spirit Award for our 25th Anniversary Season. Therese was able to attend the 8:00 pm concert to receive her award. Mary Lynn Barber (AII) delivered a heart-felt and moving tribute to this remarkable woman who has given our community so much.

When Cathy was presented the 2008 Ohio Governor's Arts Award for Community Participation, she was given the opportunity to say a few words. Here are her comments.

"Good afternoon. I am full of emotion, memory, and gratitude.

The New American Art Gallery, in Tower Place Mall

MUSE has a new ticket outlet. Be sure to visit the New American Art Gallery II. It is tucked away on the top floor of Tower Place, right next to the Everything Cincinnati Shop.

MUSE: What is your name?
RK: Rachel Kramer

MUSE: What do you do with your time outside of MUSE?
RK: Teach, work at MTNA, St. John's and play with Mary Lynn and our dog Theo

MUSE: How long have you been in MUSE?
RK: 12.5 years

MUSE: What prompted you to audition?
RK: It was part of the St. John's "gig" - two-for-one package

On Tuesday, February 13th, a fifteen year old boy named Larry King walked into his first period class at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, Calif., and was shot in the head by a fourteen year old classmate. King was murdered, friends say, because he "freaked the boys out"; because he had worn makeup, high heels and jewelry to school, because he had started telling people he was gay. For not fitting in, he had to die.

About 12 years ago I was watching MUSE perform Patchwork Quilt. I not only listened but watched as the sound moved around the choir. That performance looked much like the composition of a painting, with notes as color, form, shadow and light, carefully positioned to reflect and support the underlying meaning of the work. I was so touched by the way all the many symbolic interpretations of a patchwork quilt came through in the song all at once.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Celebration presents the theme, "The Dream Is Alive: Pursue it!" So, Monday, Jan 21, 2008, marchers will gather for the 33rd Annual Civil Rights March in Cincinnati. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition of Cincinnati, it will begin at the Freedom Center (10:45 am) and proceed to Fountain Square for an interfaith prayer service (11:15 am). It continues and concludes at Music Hall, where a commemorative program will feature the Voices of Freedom Choir (under the direction of Catherine Roma).

In June 2007, WCET and public television stations across the country aired the documentary, "Why We Sing". This uplifting and educational documentary features MUSE in song, and interviews with founding Artistic Director, Dr. Catherine Roma and individual MUSE choir members.

The following article highlighting MUSE's diversity and 25th anniversary season was published in the September Arts edition of Cincinnati Woman Magazine.

Where would we be without change? Even as we enter an election season where a leading Democratic party nominee is a woman, many of my generation (X) cannot think of the time when women were fighting for equal pay and rights. Women fought for huge change and have overcome many barriers, and yet the struggle continues.