music ministries
Make a joyful noise!
Musical Opportunities for Adults, Youth, & Children
For questions and more information, please contact Lynn Leitzen, Director of Children's Music Ministry & Worship Coordinator, at lynn.leitzen@peopleofgrace.org.
Adult Music Ministry
Share your love of music in one of our music ensembles at Grace! We have many opportunities to offer praise and worship through music for all ability levels. Please see the list of vocal and bell choirs below for details. We have selected spirited music; we need you to bring it to life! We welcome you to join us in song! Contact Lynn Leitzen to get connected with one or more of these wonderful ensembles.
Grace Chancel Choir
Grace's largest choir, singing classics, hymn settings, Gospel, and more. Sing at the 10:30AM worship service and for special concerts and holy days. We welcome capable new members. If you’re someone who reads music, loves to sing, enjoys dramatic storytelling, and is drawn to using your gifts to enhance the worship experience for others, contact Dr. Peter Jarjisian via email.
Rehearses Thursdays at 7:00PM to 8:30PM.
Directed by Dr. Peter Jarjisian.
Grace Praise Team
Vocalists and instrumentalists lead 9:00 a.m. worship with current praise and worship music, enhanced by microphones and visual projection, and plays at special events, concerts, and services. The team is always open to new members with the talents and passion for contemporary worship. Rehearsals are Tuesdays (September through May) at 7:30PM to 9:00PM for the upcoming 9:00AM Gathering Sunday worship in the Activity Center. The team rotates vocalists and band members choose their Sundays. We’d love to have you join us!
Rehearses Tuesdays at 7:30PM to 9:00PM.
Directed by Lynn Leitzen.
Grace Bell Ensemble
Play on the first Sunday of the month at the 8:00AM and 10:30AM worship service and other services, concerts, and events.
Rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00PM to 8:15PM.
Directed by Debbie John.
New Life Singers
New Life Singers choir perform at the 8:00AM sanctuary worship service under the leadership of Shelly Drescher (director) and Claudia Winterrowd (accompanist) about once a month. All are welcome and no auditions needed!
Rehearses Wednesdays, 6:30PM to 8:00PM prior to Sunday worship.
Directed by Shelly Drescher.
Simply Ring
Would you like to learn how to play handbells? Contact Debbie John.
Special Music
The 8:00AM traditional worship service invites soloists or ensembles for vocal and/or instrumentals to lead worship as available. Please contact Lynn Leitzen for more information.
Youth Music Ministry
Grace's Youth Music Ministry is a wonderful way for youth to grow relationships, share their talents, and express their faith. In addition to regularly leading worship, youth also present one musical per calendar year. Please contact Director of Children's Music Ministry Lynn Leitzen for more information.
Junior Singers
This group is for 4th to 7th graders and sings on average once a month and during Advent and for Mother’s Day musicals.
Rehearses Wednesdays at 5:00PM to 6:00PM.
Directed by Lynn Leitzen.
Youth Choir
This group is for 8th to 12th graders and sings in worship about every 4 to 6 weeks.
Rehearses Thursdays at 6:00PM to 7:00PM.
Directed by Shelly Drescher.
Joyful Ringers
This groups is for 4th to 12th grade youth and rings on average once a month and during Advent and for Mother’s Day musicals.
Rehearses Wednesdays at 4:00PM to 5:00PM.
Directed by Debbie John.
RingTones
This group is for experienced 8th to 12th grade ringers.
Rehearses Sundays at 7:00PM to 8:30PM.
Directed by Debbie John.
Instrumentalists
Any age “practice-ready” instrumentalists interested in accompanying or leading worship, please contact Lynn Leitzen.
Children's Music Ministry
The choir season is September through mid-May, but we welcome seasonal attendees as well. Contact Lynn Leitzen, Director of Children's Music Ministry, for more information.
Treble Tikes Pre-K
Pre-K (3-5 years old)
Rehearsals Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00PM to 2:00PM.
Directed by Lynn Leitzen.
Cherub Choir
Grades K - 3
Rehearses Wednesdays at 5:00PM to 6:00PM.
Directed by Sue Riedinger.
Junior Singers
Grades 4-7
Rehearses Wednesdays at 5:00PM to 6:00PM.
Directed by Lynn Leitzen.
Joyful Ringers Handbell Choir
Grades 4-12
Rehearses Wednesdays at 4:00PM to 5:00PM.
Directed by Debbie John.
RingTones
Grades 8-12 experienced handbell ensemble ringers
Rehearses Tuesdays at 6:30PM to 7:30PM.
Directed by Debbie John.
Youth Choir
Grades 8-12
Rehearses Thursdays at 6:00PM to 7:00PM.
Directed by Shelly Drescher.
Instrumentalists
Any age “practice-ready” instrumentalists interested in accompanying or leading worship, please contact Lynn Leitzen.
upcoming concerts
at grace
St. Olaf Handbell Choir Concert
Saturday, March 1 at 7:00PM
The St. Olaf Handbell Choir will be performing at Grace United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 1st, at 7:00 pm. They will be performing a wide range of music which includes secular pieces, hymn arrangements, and some jazz. Featured with bells on the concert will be french horn, saxophone, flute, bell tree, and a piece called Sarabande written by Grace United Methodist member Henry Rye who now attends St. Olaf College. Also featured will be their resident bell quartet, the Bing Bongs.
About The St. Olaf Handbell Choir
The St. Olaf Handbell Choir was founded in 1983. Since 1995, the program has been under the direction of Jill Mahr and has grown to include four handbell ensembles. Jill directs the St. Olaf Handbell Choir and the Chapel Ringers. The Manitou Handbell Choir and Valhalla Ringers are student-directed.
The St. Olaf Handbell choir is the premier ensemble of the handbell program at St. Olaf College. The ensemble is an auditioned group that meets twice a week. On campus they perform for daily chapel and Sunday church services, student recitals, and an annual spring concert featuring all the handbell choirs. In addition, they regularly perform off campus at church services, retirement centers and various concerts. They performed their first Kid’s Concert in 2007 and enjoyed it so much that they have made it an annual event. Sixteen years ago the group began touring, performing in many cities in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa. They have participated in the critically acclaimed St. Olaf Christmas Festival premiering Glories Ring, Joyous Noel and Gladsome Bells written for handbells and orchestra by former faculty member Steven Amundson. The choir has premiered over thirty pieces in Jill Mahr’s tenure. The St. Olaf bell program offers an ensemble ringing experience (duet, trios,quartets) during the month long January interim.
