Children’s & Youth Choirs at Immanuel

Children's & Youth Music Ministries:

• have a strong commitment to providing fun and fellowship with one another.
• focus on the process of becoming Christian stewards of our time and talent and developing singing and music reading skills.

Epiphany Choir, K - 2
Sundays, 10 - 10:30 a.m., Begins Sept. 25. Fellowship Hall.
Directed by Christina Orton

Ascension Choir, Grades 3 - 5
Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7 p.m., Begins Sept. 28. Room H.
Directed by Julie Summer

Cornerstone Choir, Grades 6 - 12
Wednesdays, 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Begins Sept. 28. Music Room.
Directed by Barb Savereide

Holy Commotion, Grades 6 - 12
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., Begins Sept. 7
Directed by Dennis Wallisch
 

Meet our Directors

Barb Savereide

Barb Savereide and her family have been members of Immanuel for 20 years. For almost all of that time, Barb has directed one of the children’s or youth choirs! She currently serves as the director of Cornerstone Choir, the youth choir for grades 6-12.

Barb is a graduate of St Olaf College where she participated in Manitou Singers and the St Olaf Orchestra, as well as numerous chamber ensembles. Barb teaches private violin, viola and piano lessons out of her home. She has been the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years.

For the past 5 years, she has enjoyed subbing with the South Dakota Symphony. Barb continues to be an active freelancer throughout the Twin Cities. She also enjoys sharing her talents at Immanuel.

Julie Summer

• Immanuel Lutheran Church member since childhood (1992) - grew up in Eden Prairie
• Participated in Children's choir under Joan Meyer
• Provided piano music for Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude since 1994 - either original works or classical
• Composed original piano music and released two CDs in the 90s
• Went to Perpich Center for the Arts Education (Sr. high school) - studied music
• Studied with Ken Huber (Carleton College) during high school years
• Studied with Prof. John Strauss (Luther College Music Head) during college
• Attended Luther College
• Participated in Cantorei choir
• Post college - took on position as Contemporary Worship Leader at Atonement Lutheran Church, Bloomington, MN (2 yrs)
• Taught piano lessons in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Community Education for 10 years
• Went to Tanzania in 2019 to climb Kilimanjaro with church group and to Germany in 2010 with church choir
• Married to Jesaiah Summer and recently adopted a daughter, Zoe (age 10) who was baptized at church on Palm Sunday in 2022! :)
• Volunteer for Rabbit Rescue of MN (foster rabbits, provide grooming services, capture dumped bunnies in neighborhoods)
• Currently have 2 Cocker Spaniels (Minnie and Fence - age 12.5), Three resident rabbits (Brownie, Peeka and Rovie - age 2.5), and 6 foster rabbits

Dennis Wallisch

Dennis has been involved in music ministry for almost 30 years.  He has been involved in planning and leading traditional and contemporary worship services...and everything in between.  Dennis finds the value of multiple forms and styles of worship because people are different, have different interests and connect differently to God.  It is our responsibility to provide that opportunity for connection regardless of the form worship takes.  Dennis enjoys spending time ice fishing or playing disc golf with his son, Grayson.  He is blessed to lead both Servant song and Holy Commotion at Immanuel.  

DEGREES:  Bachelor's of Science in Vocal Music Education from North Dakota State University