LSM Names 2026 Carl Schalk Honoree
Emily Christman from Fort Myers, Florida
Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to present the recipient of the 2026 Carl Schalk Award to Emily Christman from Fort Myers, Florida.
Carl Schalk was a teacher, musicologist, composer, and author whose legacy as a Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, has nurtured generations of church musicians. Dr. Schalk also was deeply connected to Lutheran Summer Music, from its earliest days, to composing the arrangement of “Luther’s Morning Prayer” that the LSM community sings daily during the summer program. LSM has established this award in his name 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.
Emily attended LSM 2026 as a third-year organ student. In her summers at LSM, Emily has been recognized many times for her musical skills and service to the church. In her first summer in 2024, Emily made a splash with her original “Xerox Concerto for Pipe Organ” work that she composed after being inspired by the industrial printer-like sounds of forced air coming from a practice-room pipe organ at Valparaiso University as she pulled stops. That summer she also was asked to represent LSM at the joint Association for Lutheran Church Musicians conference, playing a lively hymn arrangement as a postlude for their closing Eucharist service. In the summers that have followed, Emily’s enthusiasm for the pipe organ and passion for church music has made her a wonderful role model for her peers at LSM, and a joy for LSM faculty and staff.
Dean and Director of Admissions MaryLynn Mennicke shared:
“My favorite memory of Emily at LSM is sitting across the aisle from her during the LSM 2025 Faculty Organ Recital. Dr. David Cherwien improvised colorful illustrations of each verse of a hymn, and with each musical text-painting, Emily was buzzing with glee. She couldn’t contain herself! She was squeezing the hands of her friends in excitement with a look of pure joy!”
As a student at LSM 2026, Emily again studied organ as her primary instrument, and voice as a secondary instrument, taking voice lessons, composition lessons, and singing in the Festival Choir and Chapel Choir. Liturgical Composer-in-Residence Anne Krentz Organ shared:
“I enjoyed working with Emily this summer. She is a talented, creative organist and a budding composer. Emily has a great work ethic, was open to new ideas, and enthusiastic about her project.”
Emily can be seen playing Louis Vierne’s “Carillon de Westminster” to close out the LSM 2026 Student Organ Recital at St. Olaf College, as well as in this “behind the scenes” video at Valparaiso University that shows her original “Earth and All Stars Suite” right after the conclusion of LSM 2025.
We asked Emily some questions to reflect on her experience at LSM and her music ministry:
How do you pursue church music at home, or in your home congregation?
Emily visiting the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ (the largest organ in the world)
First, thank you so much for choosing me, and I gladly accept this honor! I am currently the main organist at St. Hilary Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, FL. Besides providing the Prelude and Postlude, and leading the hymns every Sunday, I also lead the liturgy, psalm tones and accompany the choir and soloists. I have led services at various churches as well, including Grace Lutheran in Naples, FL with full liturgy (I love playing liturgy)! Grace Lutheran also supported my attendance to LSM: thank you!
How did you pursue church music during your time at LSM?
I was an organ primary all three years that I attended LSM. My first two years I took the Church Music elective, and this past year I was able to take private Liturgical Composition lessons with Anne Krentz Organ, as I am writing my own Mass. I also had the opportunity to play the organ for a few church services, as well as sing in the Chapel Choir, be a part of the Handbell Choir, and Cantor for a few services.
What is important to you about the music of the church?
Music is important because it is a universal language, and many times it can speak louder than words. I feel that I can use my talents to help people worship God, and even to reach the heart of the nonbeliever who might only attend church on Christmas and Easter.
How do your LSM experiences support your musical growth, and your connection to church music?
During the summers at LSM, I have time to improve my technique and focus on learning new repertoire. I was able to study improvisation for the past two years with Dr. Cherwien, and that has really helped my service-playing back home.
Do you plan to continue to pursue church music, and if so, what are your goals or hopes for your future?
Yes! I am attending Concordia University, in Seward, Nebraska, as a Church Music major this fall. I hope to pursue graduate studies before becoming a church musician.
After three summers at LSM and graduating from high school, Emily has now concluded her time as a student. We wish her well on her future endeavors, especially in church music and music ministry.
In addition to honoring an individual in Dr. Schalk’s name, LSM has established the Dr. Carl Schalk Endowment Fund to support students like Emily who continue Dr. Schalk’s legacy, and in the promise that the future of music and the Church which he served so faithfully will be preserved through the training and nurturing of young people.
Learn more and support the Dr. Carl Schalk Endowment Fund below.
