When Dottie Burroughs arrived for Lutheran Summer Music’s inaugural summer in 1982, the program was little more than an ambitious vision. Since then, she has returned to LSM in multiple roles for 14 summers. She has seen the program grow from a promising idea into a community that now spans generations.

Lutheran Summer Music is proud to announce Rev. Dr. Jessicah Krey Duckworth (LSM 1993) as the recipient of the 2026 LSM Alumni Award. A pastor, educator, author, and philanthropic leader, Duckworth has dedicated her career to strengthening theological education, congregational life, and the exploration of Christian vocation across North America.

We’re excited to share that the Rupert Dunklau Foundation has awarded Lutheran Summer Music a $25,000 matching grant in support of student scholarships. This 1:1 challenge means every dollar you give will be matched—doubling your impact and opening the door for more students to experience LSM.

LSM is honored to announce that Rev. Ewald Mueller and Joan Mueller posthumously, and the entire Mueller family, are the 2026 recipients of the Dr. Carlos Messerli Service Award. An award given to those who represent the values and foundational mission of LSM, the Mueller family could not be more deserving. Rev. Ewald and Joan Mueller reside at the very cornerstone of LSM, having been the primary driving force from the program’s inception.

Step Up LSM, the annual student scholarship drive held on April 16, brought together alumni, parents, and friends in a powerful show of support—raising $57,387 to support student scholarships for LSM 2026. Through 184 gifts, the LSM community stepped forward to ensure students can attend, even as more than 70% of students request financial support.

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to announce the renewal of The Eugene and Mary Sukup Church Music Program for an additional three years, generously gifted through a grant from the Sukup Family Foundation of Sheffield, Iowa.

Lutheran Summer Music (LSM), the nation's premier faith-based music academy for high school students, is excited to announce its sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 season. The organization invites alumni, friends, family, and foundations to support LSM by investing in the future of young musicians.

In the summer of 2026, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians will hold its national conference at St. Olaf College alongside Lutheran Summer Music, creating opportunities for intergenerational learning, performance, and shared musical life.

Help shape LSM’s 2026 Hymn Tune Project by voting for the hymn tune Anne Krentz Organ will transform into a new, free arrangement—premiering at LSM 2026. Voting is open through January 31.

We have much to celebrate together as we reflect on 2025 and eagerly anticipate all that 2026 has in store. Through these pages, you’ll experience the profound and deeply personal impact LSM has on students, alumni, supporters, event attendees, schools, congregations, and more.

Lutheran Summer Music is highlighting legacy donors who help ensure a future filled with faith and music. Pamela Smith shares how her parents’ sacrifices fostered her lifelong love of music and why she has included LSM in her estate plans. Her story invites others to consider leaving a lasting musical legacy.

This summer marked the end of an era at Lutheran Summer Music: after 26 summers of dedicated contribution to our horn faculty, Dr. Bruce Atwell is retiring from LSM. His first summer was in 1999, and since then he has been a constant presence, shaping countless young horn players and enriching our musical community.

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to present the recipient of the 2025 Carl Schalk Award: Paul Olson from Casper, Wyoming. LSM has established this award to recognize students who embody the same passion for church music, and by their desires to use their musical gifts to the service of the church. Read Paul’s full interview here.

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to present the recipient of the 2025 Peter Wessler Award: Sarah Chang from Houston, Texas. LSM established this award to honor Peter Wessler, LSM's Academy director for 17 years before his death in 2020. Sarah was chosen as the designee for this award due to her notable social and musical contributions to the community at large. Read Sarah’s full interview here.

At the LSM Board of Directors Reception on July 19, 2025, Dorothy Pralle Burroughs—known affectionately by generations of students as “Dean Dot”—stepped to the podium to accept the Dr. Carlos Messerli Service Award. Her remarks were both a tribute to LSM’s founding vision and a personal reflection on more than four decades of ministry through music.

Lutheran Summer Music (LSM), is excited to announce that the 2026 summer program will return to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, for the first time since 1994. This move marks a significant new chapter for LSM, returning the program to the site of its inaugural season in 1982.

The Omega String Faculty Ensemble had the honor of premiering Brine, a new work by alumni composer Jonathan Bartz (LSM 2002–2003), as part of the Faculty Chamber Music Series. The piece was commissioned through LSM’s second annual Alumni Composer Commission—an initiative that strengthens the lifelong bond between alumni and LSM while celebrating and supporting their creative work.

Lutheran Summer Music is proud to announce Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Reaves (LSM 2002) as the 2025 LSM Alumni Award recipient. A trombonist with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, GySgt Reaves has built a remarkable career marked by musical excellence, service, and a passion for education and community engagement.

We’re excited to share that the Rupert Dunklau Foundation has awarded Lutheran Summer Music a $25,000 matching grant in support of student scholarships. This 1:1 challenge means every dollar you give will be matched—doubling your impact and opening the door for more students to experience LSM.

Lutheran Summer Music is honored to announce Dorothy Pralle Burroughs—affectionately known by generations of students as “Dean Dot”—as the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Carlos Messerli Service Award.