Music at Wesley

Worship & Music

About Our Music Ministry

Wesley has a deep commitment to providing high-quality traditional and contemporary music. Previous services can be seen on our YouTube Channel: https://tinyurl.com/3zvc5a3v.

Music Ministries

Worship Through Music

Explore the various ways to engage with music at Wesley United Methodist Church. Our music ministries provide opportunities to serve, worship, and grow in faith.

This choir, directed by Dan Laaveg and accompanied by Sally Potter, has a tradition of providing high-quality anthems and supporting congregational singing. It is open to high school students and up. The choir rehearses Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:45pm, and they sing most Sundays from September to May, and other special events including at Lessons and Carols. We are welcoming new members! No audition is necessary, but some prior music experience is preferred. For more information, email Dan at danlaaveg@wesleyonline.org, or talk to him after an upcoming service.

The Praise Band provides high-quality worship music. They share God’s joy through contemporary Christian music each week. Please talk to Mark Uecker, Praise Band Leader, after a service if you are interested in participating in the band.

Come ring with us! The Handbell Choir, directed by Dan Laaveg, provides anthems approximately once per month, and plays twice a year at local nursing homes. They rehearse on Wednesdays from 11:15am-12:15pm. No prior handbell experience is necessary, though previous music experience is. Please email Dan at danlaaveg@wesleyonline.org if you are interested in joining.

This is a community choir open to Muscatine area students in 7th through 12th grade. The choir sings a varied repertoire. They rehearse on Sunday afternoons from 3:30-4:45 pm from late August to May. Their main performances are Lessons & Carols at 2:30pm on December 13 & the 4pm Spring Concert on May 9, 2027. Additional singing opportunities are expected to be added. Dr. Dan Laaveg leads this group. Contact Dan with any interest or questions you may have. Registration is required and may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ye2y3wym.

This is a community choir open to Muscatine area students in 3rd through 8th grade. Wesley Associate Music Director & Sanctuary Organist Sally Potter leads this group. The choir rehearses on Mondays from 4:00-4:45pm from September to May. Their main performances are Lessons & Carols at 2:30pm on December 13 & the 4pm Spring Concert on May 9, 2027. Additional singing opportunities are expected to be added. Please contact Sally or Dan if you want to join this choir. Registration is required and may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ye2y3wym.

This is a community choir open to students in the Muscatine area in kindergarten through 2nd grade. They rehearse Mondays from 4:00-4:45 p.m. from September to May. Littlest Angels’ Choir focuses on singing, musical fun, and games. Their main performances are Lessons & Carols at 2:30pm on December 13 & the 4pm Spring Concert on May 9, 2027. Dan Laaveg directs this group. Registration is required and may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ye2y3wym.

Wesley puts on an annual Festival of Lessons & Carols each December. Lessons & Carols will be held on December 13, 2026. Last year's performance can be viewed here:

There were 8 Scripture readings that foretold and proclaimed Jesus’ birth along with anthems by the Muscatine Littlest Angels’ Choir, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Wesley’s Chancel Choir, and an orchestra.

The Muscatine Children’s Choirs will offer their annual Summer Music Camp at Wesley United Methodist Church, July 27-31, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:30am each morning for children throughout the surrounding area who will have completed Kindergarten through 2nd grade, and from 9:00am to 2:30pm for children who will have completed 3rd-6th grade. Lunch will be provided each day for 3rd-6th graders. Each day will be filled with musical exploration! K-2 students will prepare a program of songs, and 3rd through 6th graders will prepare the musical 'Elijah, God's Faithful Prophet' for an all-camp performance on Friday, July 31, at 7:00pm at Wesley.

For more information and to register, go to: https://tinyurl.com/4afff6s4

Recent musicals performed:

2022-Rescue in the Night (Daniel in the lion’s den)

2023-Oh, Jonah!

2024-A Technicolor Promise (Noah and the flood)

2025-The Troubbable of Zerubbabel

Instrument Spotlight

Instrument Spotlight

Our Organ

Our incredible Opus 153 Fisk organ, which is named Gracie Pearl, was completed in 2019. It has 43 ranks and 2,413 pipes. See more details at Fisk’s website. Our previous Casavant organ was destroyed by a tornado in 2017.

Music Staff

Meet the Team

Get to know the talented individuals leading Wesley United Methodist Church’s music ministries. Learn about their roles, passions, and dedication to enriching worship through music.