Proceeds from Spiritually Motivated’s contemporary Christian CD to fund cancer research

 Spiritually Motivated's new CD "A Journey Together."

In front (left to right): Erin Schumacher, Faye Bollingberg. Back row: Jan Muzik, Mike Veldman, Brendhan Wagner, Brian Bawek.

A group of well-known Austin singers has created a new CD of contemporary Christian songs as part of an effort to support The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned cancer research.

Spiritually Motivated, an off-shoot of the Adult Choir at St. Augustine Church in Austin, has released a CD titled, “A Journey Together,” featuring 13 songs, including “Come to the Table,” “Shine On Us” and “I Believe.” Members of Spiritually Motivated include singers Brian Bawek, Faye Bollingberg, Erin Schumacher, Mike Veldman and Brendhan Wagner along with pianist Jan Muzik.

Jim King, who led the CD project, recorded the group’s music at his Eighth Avenue Recording studio in Austin.

“This album is the result of their efforts and compassion for such an important cause,” said King, who also performed instruments for some songs. “We’re just proud of The Hormel Institute and all that they stand for.”

On Wednesday afternoon, The Hormel Institute joined Spiritually Motivated in hosting a special, opening sale of the CD for the public.

Spiritually Motivated began in 1997 as an ecumenical choral group under the guidance of choral director Jan Muzik. After a hiatus, the group recently was reborn when King enlisted former members Veldman, Schumacher, Bollingberg, Wagner, Bawek and Muzik to lend their talents to create an album from which all CD sale profits would go to cancer research.

The group chose The Hormel Institute’s cutting-edge cancer research in Austin as the beneficiary of the CD’s proceeds.

Copies of “A Journey Together” will be sold for $15 and will be available by noon on Friday at Berg’s Nursery; Caribou Coffee; Coffee House on Main; Jim’s Market Place Foods; Philomathian; St. Augustine Church; Sterling Main Street; and The Hardy Geranium.

The CD fundraiser is the first of its kind for generating funding support for The Hormel Institute’s research focused on discoveries leading to the prevention and control of cancer.

All of the faculty and staff at The Hormel Institute are deeply grateful for the strong faith and trust shown by Spiritually Motivated for the Institute’s cancer research, Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong said.

“This generous gift of music by these very talented members of our community is greatly appreciated and provides significant encouragement for our cancer researchers,” Dong said. “The best way we can show our utmost gratitude is to continue making progress in the fight against cancer.”

The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, is a world-renowned medical research center in Austin, Minn., focused on discoveries leading to the prevention and control of cancer.

In July 2013, The Hormel Foundation announced a $23 million commitment toward The Hormel Institute’s next major expansion set to break ground in 2014. The expansion will add 15 laboratories and better space for its International Center of Research Technology. The Hormel Foundation will provide $13.5 million in funding as a match to the State of Minnesota’s bonding for the expansion and an additional $9.5 million for recruiting top scientists, equipping labs with state-of-the-art technologies, and creating a cutting-edge environment for progressive cancer research.