Leadership
Director
Jennifer Ferguson is proud to be joining the Columbia Chorale as its new Music Director and Conductor. An experienced conductor with a lifelong passion for instructing ensembles, she is excited to bring her joy and love of music to Wenatchee. Jennifer has instructed groups of all ages and sizes including adult and youth choirs, orchestras, jazz bands, and pit. Additionally, she has worked in Denver as a music minister and as a K-12 music educator in Denver Public Schools. She believes the power of community music can bring renewal and hope into the world by aiding in our search for beauty and transforming lives.
Jennifer previously led the Colorado Women’s Chorale and was the founding director of the Colorado Men’s Chorale, choirs that collaborated throughout Colorado and under her direction toured to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Italy. Other appearances include as the principal conductor of the Mile High Youth Choir, guest speaker at Colorado ACDA in 2013, guest conductor of the Poudre District Honor Choir in 2014, and guest conductor of the Arvada Honor Choir in 2015. Jennifer was a guest commentator and conductor at the 2019 Treble High School Festival at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana.
She serves on the Board and is a singer in the Evans Choir, a professional choir in Denver under the direction of Dr. Catherine Sailer. With the Evans Choir, Jennifer has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet, the Philadelphia Symphony, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the New York Symphony Orchestra, Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, and others. In the summer of 2024 Jennifer is looking forward to returning to the Bravo! Vail Music Festival to sing Holst’s The Planets with the Philadelphia Symphony under the baton of Marin Alsop.
Jennifer holds her Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Music Education from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana.
ACCOMPANIST & COMPOSER
Ron Lodge, born and raised in Wenatchee, has spent most of his life accompanying school and church choirs, soloists and ensembles, and participated in the outstanding choral programs at Wenatchee High School and Wenatchee Valley College. Ron studied piano with Pauline Lieb and Joy Henderson in Wenatchee, and with Gwendolyn Harper at Eastern Washington University. He is currently staff Organist & Accompanist at Faith Presbyterian Church, and accompanies students and choirs at Eastmont High School. Affiliated with the Columbia Chorale since 1985, Ron has served as choir member, soloist, music composer and arranger, board member, board president and program editor. Ron became the Chorale's accompanist in the fall of 2001. He has arranged and composed a number of choral works specifically for the Chorale.
Dan Jackson M.M. is a local Wenatchee legend, having directed the choral programs at Wenatchee High School for 30 years. Under his leadership, they toured in the US and Europe and achieved statewide and national awards for choral excellence and music theater productions. He recently coached the male acapella cast of the Music Theatre Wenatchee production “All Is Calm”to rave reviews.
Interim Director 2023-24
Director Emeritus
Dr. Mike Hibbett directed the Columbia Chorale from 1999 to 2023, and has maintained a dedicated career in music education, church music, and performance for over 30 years. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Under his guidance, the Columbia Chorale reached its current level of excellence and while retired as director, he hopes to remain a vital part of the Wenatchee choral community. Thank you, Dr Mike, for all your years of outstanding service!
Chorale Board
Jean Butler - President
Shelley Sargur - Vice President
- Past President
Rhonnie Craven - Secretary
- Treasurer
Timmee Keys - Concerts Coordinator
Phil Greg - Membership
Becky Fishburn - Public Relations
Kate Gregg - Board