2026 Alumni Gathering
July 17-19, St. Olaf College
Return to Lutheran Summer Music for a joyful, multi-day Alumni Gathering that celebrates the music, faith, and community that shaped your LSM experience. Spend the weekend immersed in inspiring concerts and worship, singing alongside fellow alumni in the Alumni Choir, and sharing meals and receptions with LSM faculty, leadership, current students, and friends from across the years. Reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections, and once again experience the creativity, fellowship, and sense of belonging that makes LSM so transformative.
2026 Alumni Gathering Itinerary
Share your favorite memories from LSM, create new ones, and support the next generation of students by joining any of the following opportunities during the summer gathering:
Alumni Choir (offering music at Evening Prayer and Festival Worship)
Alumni Welcome Dinner
Alumni Reception
Worship Assistant Opportunities
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Student Recitals
Festival Week Concerts (Musical Theatre, Jazz Ensemble, Band, Choir, and Orchestra)
Festival Worship
Dr. Anton Armstrong
2026 Alumni Choir Director
Come sing with fellow alumni and friends under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong, Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College and longtime conductor of the world-renowned St. Olaf Choir. Known internationally for his inspiring musicianship and generous leadership, Dr. Armstrong brings singers together through performances that are both artistically excellent and deeply meaningful. A highly sought-after conductor and clinician, he is editor of a multicultural choral series for Earthsongs and co-editor of the revised St. Olaf Choral Series for Augsburg Fortress. His honors include the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching and the Oregon Bach Festival’s Saltzman Award. A St. Olaf graduate himself, he holds advanced degrees from the University of Illinois and Michigan State University.
Registration
Registration is open to alumni, family, and friends of Lutheran Summer Music. Registration includes shared meals throughout the weekend—including the Friday Alumni Welcome Dinner, Saturday lunch, and the Saturday Board of Directors Reception—along with post-concert receptions, full participation in all Alumni Gathering activities, an LSM T-shirt, and coffee and refreshments. All other meals are on your own and may be purchased in the campus cafeteria, The Cage, or in Northfield.
By May 15: $75
By June 15: $100
By July 1: $125
LSM concerts and worship services are free and open to the public and do not require registration. Guests who wish to participate in Alumni Gathering activities, meals, and receptions must register individually.
Lodging is not included with registration. There is no on-campus housing available for the Alumni Gathering. Information about hotel room blocks and how to reserve accommodations is provided below.
Alumni Gathering 2025
Lodging
The reservation deadlines for Lutheran Summer Music's hotel room blocks have now passed. Guests attending Festival Week (July 16–19, 2026) are encouraged to explore lodging options in Northfield and the surrounding area.
A variety of accommodations are available, including hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals. We recommend making reservations as soon as possible, as summer weekends can be busy in the region.
Please note that on-campus housing is not available for LSM 2026.
Explore Northfield
Whether you’re looking to grab a cup of coffee between rehearsals, gather with friends after a concert, or explore one of Minnesota’s most charming historic downtowns, Northfield offers plenty to enjoy just steps from campus. Below are some local favorites!
Shopping & Local Finds
Sightseeing & Strolling
Sweets & Bakeries
For additional information about local attractions, dining, lodging, and things to do during your visit, visit the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.
Northfield, MN