Dear Friends,

Music Ministry is an essential aspect of Ascension’s faith. Our singers and instrumentalists dedicate hours weekly honing their talents, coming together each Thursday for choral practice and sharing what they’ve prepared with us. Each Sunday, the entire parish is supported in giving glory to God through beauty, wonder, and scripture. We are grateful for our musicians who assist us all in making music together and are committed to nurturing music ministry into the future.



Diane’s predecessor was Paul Mitchell, who served as Music Director for 32 years. Paul shared his exceptional organ skills and expanded music ministry into community recitals and concerts. In 2019, Diane Lemcio was hired as the Interim Music Minister. Diane’s musical talent and her ability to nurture faith in the making and sharing of music stood out. She brought healing after Paul’s abrupt departure and built a wonderful choir community. In 2022, Diane was promoted to Director of Music Ministry. When Diane announced her retirement on September 1, we began a search for a new Director of Music Ministry.  Our search yielded nine applications and two finalists, which speaks to the fine reputation of our music ministry and Ascension’s spiritual health.

I am very excited to announce the hire of Ascension’s new Director of Music Ministry, David Boeckh. Raised in West Seattle, David attended UW, studied organ with Mel Butler at St. Mark’s Cathedral, and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin Conservatory. David’s first church job was as Organ Scholar at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, WA. David then served as Director of Music at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Lorain, OH, a similar-sized parish to Ascension, and after graduating from Oberlin, he worked for two years as the Organ Scholar at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR. During his master’s degree, he was a Choirmaster and Organist at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, where he started a Choral Scholar program and a Compline service. For the past two years, David has been serving at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, as the Associate Director of Music, where he works with adult and children’s choirs. He also founded the St. James Compline Choir. Longing to return to parish ministry and to home in Seattle, he and his husband began job searches. David is wrapping up his ministry at St. James Cathedral this summer and his husband, Nick, accepted his new job as a Facilities Coordinator for the Seattle Symphony. They are moving to Seattle!

In his free time, David loves to sing, travel, and cook new recipes from around the globe!

We cannot wait to welcome David to Ascension on Sept. 12, beginning his work with the choir, and for his first Sunday, Sept. 15.

We will celebrate Diane, her retirement, and her amazing ministry with us on Sept. 8. Diane and Gene will continue to be parishioners. Diane looks forward to spending more time with family, friends, and her garden as well as more rest and calm. Her musicianship, collegiality, and friendship have made huge impacts on our parish, and when the time comes, we’ll celebrate with her.

Thank you, Diane – and welcome, David!