LSM Announces 2024 Summer Festival Season
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.
Over 250 students, faculty, fellows, and staff will come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. The students, representing over 30 different states and two countries, will have the opportunity to further their musical skills and deepen their connection to music and their faith. 29 Collegiate Fellows will join this year’s community as teaching assistants to the faculty and musical mentors to the students.
LSM’s nationally renowned faculty, joining from the country’s leading universities and ensembles, will inspire through daily instruction and evening recitals. All three festival ensemble directors from 2023 joyfully return this summer: Dr. Jeffrey Doebler, LSM Festival Band; Dr. Shannon Gravelle, LSM Festival Choir; and Dr. Kevin Sütterlin, LSM Festival Orchestra. Faculty artist recitals will kick off the season of performances, with repertoire spanning nearly 400 years from J. S. Bach to pieces written by LSM composition faculty member Amy Nam. The cherished faculty ensemble recitals of Omega, Sine Nomine, Movere, and Praetorius will continue to feature each instrument family. Anne Krentz Organ, LSM Liturgical Composer in Residence, will write and premiere a new arrangement of The Ash Grove as a part of the Annual Hymn Tune Project.
This summer includes an exciting lineup of guest artists, including the award-winning Verona Quartet, who will serve as faculty and Artists in Residence. Also joining this summer is Dr. Christopher Aspaas (LSM Festival Choir Director in 2008, 2010, and 2012) who will direct the Alumni Choir; Dr. Catherine Rodland, who will guest teach LSM’s burgeoning organ studio; alumni composer Lawton Hall (LSM 2005-2006) who will write and premiere a work for brass ensemble; and Dr. Jennaya Robison, Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, who will join to work with the LSM Festival Choir.
During Festival Week, over 200 church musicians from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) will join the LSM community to share in concerts and worship services, culminating in an intergenerational performance of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. Festival Week will also include the Fresh Ink! Composition Recital, Chamber Music Extravaganza, Musical Theatre Recital, Jazz Ensemble Concert, Student Solo Recitals, and the entire summer culminating with the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra concerts. Evening Prayer services follow all evening performances, closing each day with a contemplative, musical vespers service. The Festival Eucharist Service closes the summer season, including pre-service brass music outside the chapel to welcome everyone to worship.
LSM invites you to join in person or via livestream for another summer of exceptional music and community. Visit the 2024 events page for a complete listing of events for the 2024 season. LSM concerts and events are underwritten by generous supporters who care deeply about the LSM experience.
