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.

Lutheran Summer Music is delighted to celebrate a special milestone: more than 100 alumni have now been featured in our Alumni Spotlight series! This growing collection of stories has become a meaningful way to reflect on the many paths our alumni take—and the lasting impact LSM has on their lives.

Step Up LSM, the annual 24-hour scholarship drive held on April 10, was a resounding success—raising over $47,000 to support student scholarships for LSM 2025. Thanks to the generosity of over 150 alumni, parents, and friends, LSM is well-positioned to meet the financial needs of the over 70% of students seeking scholarship support.

April 10 is Step Up LSM 2025, our 24-hour student scholarship drive. This year, we've received a record number of applications, and enrollment is already at capacity. With over 70% of students requesting financial support, we are committed to making LSM accessible to every student, regardless of financial circumstances.

Lutheran Summer Music is thrilled to announce that Jonathan Bartz has been selected as the recipient of the second annual Alumni Composer Commission. This initiative, launched in 2024, is a part of LSM's ongoing efforts to highlight its alumni, support their creative contributions, and continue to serve as a laboratory for musical artistry and learning by developing new music during each summer’s Academy & Festival.

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 2025 season. The organization invites alumni, friends, family, and foundations to support LSM by investing in the future of young musicians.

We have much to celebrate together as we reflect on 2024 and eagerly anticipate all that 2025 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.

LSM is thrilled to announce the 2025 worship faculty of The Eugene and Mary Sukup Church Music Program under the direction of Chad Fothergill (LSM 2000), Cantor. Highly respected in their fields, these gifted leaders advance LSM’s legacy as a laboratory for creativity and innovation that fuels the future of sacred music and educates the next generation of church music leaders.

Since the founding of Lutheran Summer Music, churches from across the country have acted as Young Musicians Partner (“YMP”) congregations, sending students to LSM and financially supporting their attendance. These partnerships make LSM possible for dozens of students each year, as the majority of students who require financial aid have benefited from a YMP congregation’s support.

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to present the recipient of the 2024 Carl Schalk Award: Naomi from Grand Marais, MN. 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 Naomi's full interview here.

LSM is pleased to present the recipient of the 2024 Peter Wessler Award: Nicolas from Palmetto Bay, Florida. LSM established this award to honor Peter Wessler, LSM's Academy director for 17 years before his death in 2020. Nicolas (Nico) was chosen as the designee for this award due to his notable contributions to the student community at LSM. Read Nico's full interview here.

Lutheran Summer Music has received a legacy gift from Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth, a Twin Cities congregation that is closing and selling its building. This generous contribution will go a long way in supporting young musicians and ensuring the continuation of LSM's mission to educate future leaders in classical and sacred music.

The 2024 LSM Alumni Award was presented to Rev. Michael D. Costello during LSM 2024 at the annual Board of Directors Reception on Saturday, July 27, 2024. With over 100 guests in attendance, the event was an inspiring reminder that LSM touches the lives of countless people. Read Rev. Costello’s moving acceptance speech here.

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.