Hold On, Irene: Quaker Noats to Perform at Riversharks Game

Assuming Irene , a group of five Moorestown High Schoolers will serenade the crowd at Saturday’s Camden Riversharks game with their rendition of “God Bless America.”

The , an a capella group formed by 17-year-old Matthew Gavin and his friends earlier this year, were invited to sing the patriotic tune during the seventh inning stretch.

Gavin’s mother, Beth, said Matthew was a member of the Madrigal singers at the high school, but was looking for another creative outlet when he formed the Noats.

“He performed a little bit as a kid. It really blossomed in high school when he joined the Madrigals,” Beth said. “That’s when his love really kicked in and he realized he had a good voice.”

Matthew and his fellow Noats—Alex Ing, Will Van Fossen, Delaney Wallace and Timmy White—got their latest gig after the Riversharks came calling at Sayers Memorial United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, where Delaney Wallace’s father serves as pastor.

The Rev. Stephen Wallace said the Riversharks asked the church whether its choir could perform during Saturday’s game against the Somerset Patriots. The pastor suggested the Noats.

The church had been looking for a way to raise money for its men’s and youth ministries and men’s fellowship program, Wallace said. So they bought 100 tickets to the game and began selling them, setting aside the proceeds for those programs. They’ve sold 75 so far.

Beth Gavin said they’re expecting quite a large contingent of supporters for the Noats—as long as Mother Nature doesn’t decide to throw a hurricane at them.

“We’re all doing a rain dance here,” she said.

Tripp Matteo, a staff member in the Riversharks front office, said as of Thursday afternoon Saturday’s game was still a go.

“We try to do everything we can to still have the games,” he said.

Should the game be called off due to weather, it would be immediately posted on the team’s website, he said. The game would likely be rescheduled, rather than canceled.

The Rev. Wallace said if those who attend the game want their money to go toward Sayers Memorial they need to mention that when they’re buying the tickets at will-call or call him directly at 215-219-6137.

The Riversharks play the Patriots at 5:35 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 and $13.

UPDATE: Saturday's game has been pushed up to noon because of the weather. 

UPDATE: The game has been cancelled, according to Beth Gavin.