The Muscatine Youth and Children’s Choirs offer young people in the Muscatine area an opportunity to grow their vocal talents and teamwork skills within a choir setting.
They sing regularly at Wesley’s annual Lessons and Carols event on December 12, and participate in a Spring Concert on May 15, 2022. They have also sung at churches, civic organizations, sporting events and nursing homes throughout the area. Choirs are also invited to sing occasionally with the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra and the Muscatine Civic Chorale. Dr. Ric and Cynthia Smith started the choirs over twenty years ago.
The Muscatine Youth Choir, open to area students in 7th-12th grade, will begin its year on Sunday, August 29. They rehearse every Sunday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church (400 Iowa Avenue). Dr. Dan Laaveg, Director of Music at Wesley, will be directing the Youth Choir. Lori Carroll, Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, will be accompanying.
The Littlest Angels, consisting of area students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, will meet every Monday from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. at Wesley, starting on September 13, for musical fun and singing. Students are expected to arrive in a timely fashion so that rehearsal may begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. Ruthellen Brooks will be directing the Littlest Angels, and Sachi DeWinter will be accompanying them.
The Muscatine Children’s Choir, consisting of students in 3rd-8th grade, will also meet every Monday from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. at Wesley, starting on September 13. Dr. Laaveg will be directing Children’s Choir. Sally Potter, Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Wesley, will be accompanying them.
Please complete the online registration form at this link: https://wesleyonline.elexiochms.com/external/form/2b743fb2-2413-424d-b733-77101502bf24.
The registration fee is $35.00 per youth and $30.00 for the second, with a $65.00 per family maximum. Payment is available in the online registration form, or by bringing payment into the Wesley office Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. No singer will be turned away due to financial strain. In case of need, scholarships are available.
Please try to avoid conflicts with rehearsals by making a commitment to attend all rehearsals, and if there are expected absences, please contact Dr. Laaveg as far in advance as possible.
Masks will be required for the choirs due to high Covid rates and lack of a vaccine for children under 12. For more information, please call Dan Laaveg at 263-1596.
