Monday, June 13, 2011

 Longest tenure as a church pianist and organist: Ida Mae Cumbest sets world record

CUMBEST BLUFF, Miss., USA -- Ida Mae Cumbest, 90, has served as organist and pianist for the Caswell Springs United Methodist Church 69 years , setting the world record for the Longest tenure as a church pianist and organist .

  Photo: Ida Mae Cumbest holds the World Record for the longest tenure as a church pianist and organist. Photo by: James Edwards Bates ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the longest working career for a music teacher was set by Charles Wright (USA, b. 24 May 1912) who began teaching piano privately and professionally in 1931. He continued to do so for the next 76 years until he passed away on 19 July 2007, aged 95 years 56 days.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the longest career as a clarinetist was achieved by Stanley Drucker (USA, b. 4 February 1929) who performed professionally for 62 years 7 months 1 day as of 4 June 2009.

   "It is kind of unbelievable," Ida Mae Cumbest said. "It is such an honor to be able to experience that. It is wonderful and worth what little effort I feel like I put forth to get that recognition."

   She was first invited to play at the church in the summer of 1942, and has been playing weekends ever since. She met her husband of 62 years, Elvis, at the church and they raised their two sons in the small community that shares their name. Cumbest is one of the older families in Jackson County.

  Her son Mark Cumbest said he still thrills to hear her play at services. "She does a great job," he said.

  "She says she is no accomplished musician, but some people would argue with that."

 "I thought, this has got to be a record -- 69 years of doing anything," Mark said. Documenting his mother's work involved witnesses, notarized sworn statements, videos, pictures and a copy of her church membership from the 1940s.

  The record-holder is married to Elvis Cumbest. They have two sons, Mark and Brent, and four grandchildren.

   Her advice on keys to being good at what she does? "I think to enjoy it," she said, "and not get sold on yourself, and then do it for the Lord."

Related world records:      
Oldest working model: Carmen Dell'Orefice (Video)

Oldest serving judge: Judge Wesley Brown (HD Video)

Longest serving Cub Scout den mother: Adele Trapp

Longest serving cricket umpire: Dean Groves

Longest serving scout: Reg Hayes

Longest Career as a Female Radio Presenter: Annie Nightingale

Oldest Meeter-Greeter: Syd Prior

Oldest Practicing Doctor: Dr Walter Watson

Longest serving paper girl: Darlyne Markus

Longest career in the same store: Roy Goggs

Oldest Barber: Anthony Mancinelli

Longest-serving paper boy: Ted Ingram

Longest serving radio DJ: Herb Kent

Highest-time female pilot:  Evelyn Bryan Johnson

Most hours spent flying the F-16: Air Force pilot

Longest Serving Chief of Police: Chief Thomas E. Hawley

Longest career as a weather forecaster: Dave Devall

Monday, June 13, 2011