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.