Music at Wesley

About Our Music Ministry

Wesley has a deep commitment to providing high-quality traditional and contemporary music in our three services. Previous services can be seen on our YouTube Channel.

Music Ministries

Chancel Choir

This choir, directed by Dan Laaveg and accompanied by Sally Potter, has a tradition of providing high-quality anthems and supporting congregational singing during the 11 a.m. traditional service. It is open to high school students and up. The choir sings most Sundays from September to May, and other special events including the Advent 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.

 

Celebration Band

The band, led by Joe Barton, provides high-quality worship music for the 9:00 a.m. contemporary service. They share God’s joy through contemporary Christian music each week. We are looking for volunteer musicians to join the band!

Handbell Choir

Come ring with us! This choir, directed by Dan Laaveg, provides anthems approximately once per month at the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, and plays twice a year at local nursing homes. No prior handbell experience is necessary, though previous music experience is. Please email Dan at danlaaveg@wesleyonline.org if you are interested in joining.

 

Muscatine Youth Choir

This is a community choir open to Muscatine area students in 6th through 12th grade. The choir sings a varied repertoire. They rehearse on Sunday afternoons from 3:30-4:45 p.m. from late August to May. Performance dates for the 2023-24 season are Sunday, December 10, and Sunday, May 12, with additional singing opportunities expected to be added. Dr. Laaveg leads this group. Register your child at the link below or use the QR code! Since 6th-8th graders have the ability to be in 1 or 2 choirs (Youth Choir or Children’s Choir), please contact Dan Laaveg with any questions you may have.

https://tinyurl.com/5ack29ac

Muscatine Children's Choir

This is a community choir open to Muscatine area students in 3rd through 8th grade. Wesley Associate Music Director & Organist Sally Potter leads this group. The choir rehearses on Mondays from 4:00-4:45pm from September 11 to Mother’s Day. Performance dates for the 2023-24 season are Sunday, December 10, and Sunday, May 12, with additional singing opportunities expected to be added. This choir develops their vocal skills in an ensemble setting. Register your child at the link below or use the QR code! Since 6th-8th graders have the ability to be in 1 or 2 choirs (Youth Choir or Children’s Choir), please contact Dan Laaveg with any questions you may have.

https://tinyurl.com/5ack29ac

Muscatine Littlest Angels Choir

 

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 11 to Mother’s Day. Littlest Angels Choir focuses on singing, musical fun, and games. They participate in the Lessons and Carols event on December 10 and the Spring Concert on May 12.

Register your child at the link below or use the QR code!

https://tinyurl.com/5ack29ac

 

Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols

Wesley’s annual Festival of Lessons & Carols will be December 10, 2023, at 2:30pm. Last year’s Lessons & Carols can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emndkhbJIvQ. There were 7 Scripture readings that proclaimed Jesus’ birth along with anthems by the Muscatine Littlest Angels’ Choir, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Wesley’s Chancel Choir, and an orchestra.

Summer Music Camp

Wesley has a tradition of putting on a 1-week Summer Music Camp, typically in mid to late July. In 2023, we had 39 campers who had just finished K-6th grade. K-2 students learn a program of songs and the first song in the musical, and the 3rd-6th graders learn a musical. In 2023, they performed “Oh, Jonah” to the delight of the audience. See the all-camp Friday evening performance here: https://www.facebook.com/WesleyMuscatine/videos/651090576633459

Students who have just completed K-2nd grades come from 9:00 to 11:30am each morning, and students who have just completed 3rd-6th grades attend from 9:00am till 2:30pm each day (lunch provided). Each day is filled with musical exploration: musical games, singing, handbells, boomwhackers…  and lots more!

Our Organ
Our Organ

Our incredible Fisk organ is the primary accompanying instrument at the 11:00 traditional service. Named Gracie Pearl and 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

DAN LAAVEG

Director of Music

SALLY POTTER

Associate Director of Music

JOE BARTON

Celebration Worship Leader