Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to announce a transformational gift from the Christopher Family as part of the Strength and Stay Campaign. The Christopher Family’s longstanding support has been crucial in furthering the mission of Lutheran Summer Music, and their recent major gift has created eight new endowed faculty chairs, enriching the educational experience for students and nurturing musical talent for generations to come.

The 2024 LSM community had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Jennaya Robison, Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, to campus this past week. During her visit, Dr. Robison fully embraced the non-stop LSM schedule, beginning each day with morning prayer, running off to rehearsals, enjoying performances, and ending with evening prayer. LSM students, faculty, and fellows learned from Robison during rehearsals, over meals, and in worship.

Dottie Burroughs, “Dean Dot” was there at the beginning of LSM, calling Dr. Carlos Messerli and asking where she could help in 1981. Throughout her time, she has served in various roles—from counselor to Dean of Students to an instructor. Dean Dot returned to LSM this summer to teach the Music Education Elective and a section of Musicianship.

LSM is pleased to announce that longstanding LSM supporters Mark and Kathy Helge of Rockford, Illinois, are this year’s recipients of the Dr. Carlos Messerli Service Award for outstanding service to the mission of Lutheran Music Program.

LSM is thrilled to announce Rev. Michael D. Costello as the 2024 LSM Alumni Award recipient. A conductor, composer, and church musician, Costello’s work has touched the lives of countless people, providing inspiration through powerful musical experiences in and out of worship.

We asked this summer’s incoming class, “why do you want to attend LSM?” Read their inspiring responses below.

A heartfelt thank you to the nearly 100 alumni, parents, friends, and families have committed three-year pledges or legacy (estate) gifts, bringing us to 95%, or $5.7 million of our $6 million dollar goal!

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to announce its 42nd season, featuring over 30 free and open-to-the-public concerts, recitals, and worship services. All events will take place at Valparaiso University from July 1 to July 28. The majority will also be livestreamed, allowing those from around the world to experience LSM’s transformational program.

Lutheran Summer Music is thrilled to announce the launch of the Hymn Tune Project, with a second arrangement coming this summer. The Hymn Tune Project is a series of theme and variations on hymn tunes for solo instrument and keyboard. This new piece will build on the momentum of the inaugural arrangement from LSM 2023, Holy Manna, which has garnered hundreds of downloads since its premiere last summer.

Step Up LSM, the annual 24-hour student scholarship drive held on April 25th, was a resounding success raising $38,000 and exceeding the goal. With over 120 alumni, parents, and friends making a gift, LSM 2024 will be able to meet the financial needs of the 70% of students seeking assistance. 

Lutheran Summer Music, the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students, announces its remaining sponsorship opportunities for its 2024 season. The organization invites alumni, friends, family, and foundations to support LSM, investing in the future of young musicians.

It is with immense pleasure that LSM announces the appointment of Dr. Christopher Aspaas as the Alumni Choir Director for the 2024 Alumni Gathering. Dr. Aspaas, who previously served as LSM Festival Choir Director in 2008, 2010, and 2012, is a highly accomplished and beloved conductor and educator. 

Singers from three Lutheran High Schools in the greater Milwaukee area recently came together for the “ONE Choir,” an inaugural joint choir festival. The festival was an opportunity to highlight and continue the Lutheran choral tradition and give students an opportunity to come together with new friends and share in music, faith, and community – all values reflected during LSM.

LSM is excited to launch the Annual Alumni Composition Commission project, which aims to support and showcase alumni composers through commissioned works. This year's inaugural alumni composer, Lawton Hall (LSM 2005-2006), has been commissioned to write a new work for brass that will be premiered at the Praetorius Brass Faculty Recital at LSM 2024.

Two esteemed faculty members of LSM are joining forces in an upcoming performance this March. Nicole Lee, piano faculty, will be collaborating with Dr. Kevin Sütterlin, LSM Festival Orchestra conductor, and the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, of which Sütterlin is the music director. The highlight of the evening will be Lee's performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor.

LSM is thrilled to share that the award-winning Verona Quartet musicians will join the LSM 2024 Faculty and serve as Artists in Residence for the duration of Lutheran Summer Music 2024.

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians will hold a music and worship conference in conjunction with LSM 2024 at Valparaiso University. The conference, overlapping with LSM week 4, will bring together hundreds of church musicians from across the country for several days of learning, fellowship, and shared musical experiences.

LSM is excited to announce that we have been featuring our wonderful alums through the Alumni Spotlight series for over a year! We are proud to continue highlighting our former students' experiences and their journeys after LSM.

LSM is thrilled to announce that over 80 alumni, parents, friends, and families have committed three-year pledges or legacy (estate) gifts, bringing us to 85%, or just over $5 million of our $6 million dollar goal!