Music Ministry

Voices of Grace

This principal choir leads and supports the People’s Song in worship weekly September-May and on other festival days of the church year. This ensemble offers a variety of fine choral literature, folk music from around the world, and hymnody in addition to leading congregational song. Members serve as teachers and leaders among the assembly. Service offerings are a culmination of preparations, prayer, and rehearsals.

The choir meets weekly on Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm

Grace Brass

Voices of Grace

Grace Brass includes brass players and percussionists, adding strength and brilliance to our festival worship services. The ensemble supports the assembly’s song with hymn and liturgy accompaniments as well as other voluntaries on occasion.

Rehearsals are scheduled prior to each festival service.

Bells of Grace

Growing in Grace

This ensemble rings in worship once a month and occasionally for festivals. The choir prepares anthems in addition to accompanying hymns and liturgical song, heightening the musical expressions of the people.

The ensemble meets weekly on Wednesday evenings, 6:15-7:15pm.

Growing in Grace

Music ministry with/by/for children ages 3 and up. We gather to explore our worship, faith and music life together - praying, playing instruments, singing and moving, learning about God’s gift of music, making friends.

Children lead in worship occasionally.

Children meet together periodically on Sunday mornings before worship.

Drum Circle

Ukulele Ensemble

Drum circle participants gather for both personal enjoyment and worship leadership. This improvisatory group is a lot of fun, and can even be therapeutic. Children and adults alike gather monthly to develop their skills and share with one another.

The Circle meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 4:00-4:45pm.

Ukulele Ensemble

This informal group gathers twice monthly to hone skills and have fun together while playing sacred and secular songs. Worship leadership and outreach opportunities in the community are occasional options,

but not required for participation.

This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 5:00-6:00pm.

Judy Olson Organ Scholarship

A bit of history

Grace Lutheran Church established the Judy Olson Organ Scholarship to honor the life and long-tenured music ministry of Judy Olson, who has been an active member of Wenatchee’s

music-making community for sixty years.

The scholarship’s purpose is to provide solid instruction in the art of organ playing to enthusiastic teenage/young adult students.

Applications and auditions take place each September. For details, contact Deacon Ruth Anderson at the church office.

Scholarship Donors Since 2024

This scholarship was funded initially by the Zacher Fund. Thereafter, donations from Grace members and others in the wider Wenatchee community keep this valuable program going.

Our heartfelt thanks extend to all those who generously contributed to this scholarship fund:

Anonymous

Ruth Anderson

John and Rose Applegate

Constance Bean

Dave and Faye DeJong

Pat Fitzgerald

Linda Grandorff

Suellen Harris

Greta Isufaj

Melinda Johsnon

Howard Morris

Nancy O’Donnell

Kari Olson

Grace Schauer

Gigi Shaw

Linda Sinnett

Mike and Cathy Sweeney

Kristen Thorstenson

Earl Tilly

Jewel Tweten

Our 2025-26 Scholar

Joanna Talbot writes:

“I’m a 16-year old sophomore at Wenatchee High School. I play violin in my school orchestra and piano; I am extremely excited to be learning organ through the Judy Olson Organ Scholarship, thanks to the Grace Lutheran congregation! Outside of music, I am a ballet dancer, and in the summer I perform with Wenatchee Youth Circus all around Washington. I plan to go to college to pursue music and hopefully continue to play music with and for others!"

Director of Music Ministries

Deacon Ruth Anderson

Deacon Ruth continues her service to the Lutheran Church as an ordained rostered leader, vested in 1987. She holds a BA in vocal music education and organ from Luther College, with graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and Gettysburg Seminary. As a choir director, organist and worship leader, she served Lutheran and Episcopal congregations in Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Ohio before accepting the call to Grace in 2024.

Ruth lives her passion to equip people for music ministry. Beyond parish ministries, she enjoys serving with leaders in both synodical and national expressions of the church. Active in the ecumenical work of American Guild of Organists, The Hymn Society and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Ruth is married to polymath

Dr. Marshall Thomas.