Celebrating 50 Years of The Fellheimer Music Internship Program
For 50 years, the Fellheimer Music Intern Program has shaped Wesley United Methodist Church’s music ministry while helping college students grow as musicians and leaders.
Established in 1975 through a partnership with Western Illinois University’s Department of Music and the Fellheimer Trust, the program began with choir interns before expanding to include the Wesley Praise Band (2010) and Wesley Ringers handbell choir (2019). Today, over 200 interns represent five decades of music and ministry.
The program's impact endures across our leadership: current Choir Director Ethan Ivey, Praise Band Director Jason Hawkins, and Bell Choir Director Cathi Swanson all started as WIU Fellheimer interns.
Today, we celebrate this milestone in worship as alumni return to perform alongside our ensembles. We give thanks for 50 years of shared musical gifts and look forward to the next half-century of ministry!
Established in 1975 through a partnership with Western Illinois University’s Department of Music and the Fellheimer Trust, the program began with choir interns before expanding to include the Wesley Praise Band (2010) and Wesley Ringers handbell choir (2019). Today, over 200 interns represent five decades of music and ministry.
The program's impact endures across our leadership: current Choir Director Ethan Ivey, Praise Band Director Jason Hawkins, and Bell Choir Director Cathi Swanson all started as WIU Fellheimer interns.
Today, we celebrate this milestone in worship as alumni return to perform alongside our ensembles. We give thanks for 50 years of shared musical gifts and look forward to the next half-century of ministry!
