LSM student Emily (LSM 2024-2025) started her summer on a high note! Last weekend, she was invited by her local chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) to perform at the Festival of Great Organ Music held at Artis Naples. Emily performed four movements from her "Earth and All Stars" Suite, a work she began composing last summer at LSM.

LSM Cantor and alumnus Chad Fothergill (LSM 2000) was recently featured in Duke University's latest "A Duke Workday" video, titled The Chapel Organ as a Collection of Voices.

LSM alumna and former Dean of Students Sophia Butler (LSM 2009–2010) will conduct Bach’s Christus, der ist mein Leben (BWV 95) during the worship service at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Roseville, MN, on Sunday, May 18, at 9:00 AM.

LSM alum Michael Miller (LSM 1982-1984) will present "All World Premieres" this Saturday, May 17 at 4:00 pm! Hosted by Concerts at Unity and Unity Lutheran Church and Community Center (1212 W. Balmoral, Chicago, IL), this concert will feature 10 of Michael's best pieces written in the past year—each a world premiere!

Congratulations to Ellie (LSM 2022-2025) on receiving the prestigious John Philip Sousa Award! This honor, awarded to high school musicians, recognizes superior musicianship, leadership, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation. Since 1954, the Sousa Award has been a nationwide symbol of excellence in musical achievement. We are proud of Ellie for embodying these qualities and representing LSM with such distinction!

This past weekend brought a joyful reunion for two members of the LSM community: Josh Hernday and Spencer Martin. Josh, who served as an orchestra intern (2009–2010) and later as events manager (2015–2016), had the opportunity to perform alongside Spencer, a former and now returning LSM faculty member.

Former LSM Worship Faculty member Ezechiel Daos will present a Pre-Evensong Recital on Sunday, May 11 at 3:15pm ET at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA.

LSM alum and string faculty member Rachel Handlin (LSM 1986–87) recently took the stage in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s final chamber concert of the season: Jazzy Journey. The program featured an adventurous blend of classical and jazz, with Rachel on violin alongside Scott Metlicka (soprano, alto, and bass flutes), Alison Gaines (bass), Dan Bretz (drums), and Joel Ross (piano).

Alum Elizabeth Pemberton (LSM 1984-1986) will share a vocal recital on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, MN. A longtime member of the Cathedral’s music ministry, Elizabeth will be joined by guest artists in a program featuring works by Purcell, Mozart, Schubert, and Vaughan Williams.

Congratulations to Aiden Kocian (LSM Voice Fellow 2025) on his acceptance into the prestigious choral conducting graduate program at Northwestern University! This fall, Aiden will begin his studies under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Megill and Dr. A.J. Keller.

Dr. Shannon Gravelle, LSM Festival Choir Director, was recently featured by Lawrence University for her work as a conductor, educator, and advocate for inclusive choral practices. As co-director of choral studies at Lawrence, she’s passionate about uplifting underrepresented voices through repertoire and mentorship.

This past Friday, Thomas (LSM 2021–25) got the chance to "pit sit" with Tali Duckworth (LSM 2018), who’s currently playing trumpet in the traveling Broadway production of Mean Girls. The two trumpet-playing LSM alums shared a fun moment at the Ordway in St. Paul, where Tali was performing. Tali is a senior at USC, and Thomas is a senior in high school.

This past weekend, Thomas (LSM 2021–25), Kaleb (LSM 2023–25), and current Concordia student Raynie (LSM 2024) reunited at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN for the 2025 Concordia High School Honor Band! It was a weekend full of music and community, capped off by fantastic Sunday performances from both the High School Honor Band and the Concordia Band. Oh, and did we mention? They're all trumpet players!

Dr. Shannon Gravelle (Festival Choir) and Julian Goods (Voice Faculty) crossed paths not once, but twice at the National ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Conference in Dallas! Their surprise reunions were a joyful reminder of the musical community that connects us all—and they’re both counting down the days until LSM 2025!

Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler (LSM Festival Band) will lead the 27th Annual Sousa Tribute Concert on Saturday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University. The concert features the Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band, Luce Concert Band, and Chamber Concert Band, in a celebration of John Philip Sousa’s enduring musical legacy.