Cynthia Goetz

Goetz Cynthia Goetz. Near the end of the Minnesota Twins' season last September in front of 45,000 fans, the crowd in the Metrodome hushed anticipating the downbeat from the hand of Cindy Goetz, Director of Music at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury, MN. The chorus, All the Kings' Men, burst into the resonant harmonies of "The Star Spangled Banner." Three months into her battle with a brain malignancy, Cindy conducted with animated passion even from her wheelchair. When the anthem finished, she threw back her head and grinned at her "boys" with absolute joy. Until her passing on March 21, 2003, music remained the spiritual source of her strength and courage. Born April 6, 1953, in Lenoir, NC, Cindy pursued a life of music as a soloist, teacher, and choral director. A graduate in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, she then received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado. Appearing as a featured soprano soloist, Cindy performed with various musical organizations including the Denver Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Civic Orchestra, Greater Grand Forks Symphony, Polymnia Choral Society of Boston, Minnetonka Choral Society, Oratorio Society of Minnesota, Valley Chamber Chorale and the Macalester Festival Chorale. Over the years she appeared with The Minnesota Opera and Opera 101 Theatre Company. Known as an inspirational vocal instructor, Cindy taught voice on the college faculties of St. Olaf, Macalester, Augsburg, Gustavus Adolphus, Concorida-Moorhead and the University of North Dakota. Until her illness, she was a member of the faculties of Luther Seminary and Bethel College, as well as maintaining a private voice studio. Her true joy came from choral conducting. Over the years she led choirs at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, MN, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN and for the last several years, King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury where she served as Director of Music. Just prior to her illness a CD, "Soli Deo Gloria," featuring her three adult choirs was released. Cindy is survived by her husband, Randy of Maplewood, MN; her daughter, Courtney of Minneapolis; her son, Barrett at home; her parents, John and Charlotte Teague of Kannapolis, NC; her sister, Gina and brother-in-law, Fernando Mancillas of Sickerville, NJ; her mother-in-law, Pearl Goetz of Red Wing, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Susan Goetz of Red Wing, MN and Jerry and Michelle Goetz of Glendale, AZ; as well as several nieces and nephews. Her brothers, Roger and Barry, as well as her beloved nephews, Brandon and Cameron Goetz, preceded Cindy in death. A memorial celebration of Cindy's life will be held on Monday, March 31st at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, MN at 4:00 PM. The family will be receiving guests beginning two hours prior to the service. Memorials directed to the family will be used for the children's educational expenses. Memorials may also be directed to the King of Kings Lutheran Church Pipe Organ Fund. WULFF WOODBURY 651-738-9615

Published on March 23, 2003