LMP Newsletter, Fall 2010

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In Their Words How does one possibly summarize Lutheran Summer Music 2010 in less than 500 words?

The “ODJ” (that’s our Online Daily Journal at lsmodj.wordpress.com where students and faculty post daily blog entries) does just that.

Today was an amazing day!! It started off with an alarm clock buzzing in my left ear and a smile appearing on my face. Why? Because it was a new day given to me as a gift by God and on a lighter note, I get to see my parents in less than two days!

I made it to breakfast in the caf just Celebr ate 30 years! in time to grab a bagel and some yogurt and then jet off to Morning Prayer and Announcements, which, Luther College, Decor ah, IA by the way, I LOVE singing Luther’s That’s right, 30 years! Please join us for Morning Prayer in the morning. Such this special occasion. See page 5 for details. a wonderful way to begin the day! It was followed by my last musicianship Reading the ODJ can immediately transport class with Brooke Joyce, the AHHHMAZING anyone in the LSM community back to their composer-in-residence here at LSM. We had summer home in Decorah. Dietrich’s entry, a lot of fun composing music and playing it from Tuesday, July 14, 2010, captures the Luther an Faith spirit of Lutheran Summer Music:

L SM June 26–July 24 2011

Festival Week has arrived and while there are many happy and joyous moments to Festival Week, there are also many sad ones. We must begin saying goodbye to people at one time we called strangers; now we call them good friends. Why have I even started thinking about leaving? I shouldn’t.

Musical Excellence

“I learned how fast I can grow better as a musician surrounded by an environment of other serious kids. The band at my school would have taken years to do what we did in a month.” *

“There are a lot of youth who feel the same way I do about the church, and it made me feel connected.” * for one another. After that was some free time where I hung out with my good friend Michael and we played Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Such a gorgeous piece of music!!!

It was followed by a nice and relaxing Chapel Choir rehearsal due to the fact that we had just performed [the LSM Hymn Festival] the night before.

After Chapel Choir, I headed off to lunch in the caf. Then after lunch, my good friend continued on page *other student voices from LSM 2010

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In Their Words

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Letter From the Director

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Mission at Work

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In their words, con’t.

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Celebr ating 30 years

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Thrivent Partnership

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Alumni news

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Hymn Festivals Around the country

From the Director Dear Friends, It was another amazing year for Lutheran Summer Music. This year I particularly felt the powerful connections being made as our students recognized their musical gifts as something to be shared to help others.

Over and over, as I read through the post-LSM student evaluation forms, I see that our kids feel called to serve through LSM: “There are a lot of kids that want to help make the church better than ever before, and we’ll use our musical gifts to help.”

“I learned that I want to be a church musician when I grow up. The church needs musicians to make worship meaningful, and I would like to make a spiritual difference in someone’s life.”

What a privilege to be present as those awakenings are taking place; to see the spark in a young student; to witness the kindness and encouragement these young people show to one another. These testimonials tell us anecdotally what we will soon be able to quantify thanks to our “Composing a Legacy” project funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (page 6): LSM does encourage young people to connect their musical gifts with their personal faith. We are strengthening the future of church musicianship and

planting seeds for meaningful vocation.

Our students are doing their part, so we must do ours. By now, you are used to my reminder that the end of our organization’s fiscal year is just around the corner (September 30). We will begin our 30th anniversary year on October 1! This is a milestone that many nonprofit organizations never reach, but we are there thanks to three decades of dedicated support.

Please help us launch our next 30 years by helping us wrap up the first 30 years on solid ground. In many ways, this year has been tougher than last year when it comes to finances. The recession is easing in some sectors (as reflected in our higher LSM enrollment), but fundraising has lagged. Foundation grants, in particular, are sparse since markets remain flat. If you can provide a financial gift of any size before September 30, you will help us close the gap left by this important resource.

I look forward to celebrating LSM’s 30th anniversary with you in the coming year. We’ve got exciting plans for next summer that will embrace alumni, reconnect friends, and inspire students. But first we need to assure those future students that we’ll be there for them.

Make your contribution today at www.lutheransummermusic.org or by mailing it to Lutheran Music Program, 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 230, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Thank you!

Beth Burns, Executive Director

National Staff Beth Burns (612-230-3296) Executive Director Ellen Draeger (612-230-3293) Development Coordinator Katherine Lane (612-230-3297) Admissions Coordinator Susan J. Olstad (612-230-3291) Director of Admissions Cathie Schauer (612-230-3292) Director of Operations Kat Singer (612-230-3295) Communications & Administrative Coordinator Board of Directors James M. Hushagen, J.D., President Edgewood, WA Jeff Held, Vice President Tustin, CA Sandra Carlson, Secretary Bradenton, FL Steve Anderson, Treasurer Delano, MN Gary J. N. Aamodt Edina, MN Dr. Rich Bimler Bloomingdale, IL Barry L. Bobb Carmel, IN Amy E. Boers Milton, WA Ms. Julie A. Christopher Chicago, IL Phyllis Duesenberg St. Louis, MO Tracy Elftmann Minneapolis, MN William Heyne Grand Rapids, MI Scott Hyslop Birch Run, MI Dr. Martin Jean Hamden, CT Dr. Merilee Klemp Minneapolis, MN David C. Leege Green Valley, AZ Bishop Robert A. Rimbo New York, NY Dr. Carl Schalk Melrose Park, IL Alayne Smith St. Louis, MO Charles E. Sukup Sheffield, IA Mrs. Ewald H. Mueller, Honorary Member Webster Groves, MO Mr. Raymond G. Avischious, Honorary Member: President Emeritus Colorado Springs, CO Luther an Music Progr am 122 W Franklin Avenue, Suite 230 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451 888-635-6583 (toll free) 612-879-9555 (local) 612-879-9547 (fax) lsm@lutheransummermusic.org www.lutheransummermusic.org

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Many Parts Make Up the Whole of a Mission As with last summer, over one third of our students in 2010 came from Young Musician Partnership (YMP) congregations, where local scholarships were provided to assist students with LSM tuition. At LSM, after completing a survey, this group of students met to talk about worship and their connections to it.

One of the questions the survey asked was, “What is the key to getting youth to participate in worship?” After an energetic discussion, these students told us that if they are involved in

the growing number of churches who are mission partners.

Here are some of those stories: • This spring, a student called to withdraw from attending LSM 2010. Her parents could not afford the tuition because of a job loss and she couldn’t see a way to make it work. We asked if we could contact her church to see if any scholarship or fundraising opportunities were available. After making a call, the church music director enrolled the congregation in the YMP and helped raise enough funds for her to attend.

Additional funds are still available to assist the next student from their congregation to attend LSM next summer.

Students who attended LSM 2010 through the Young Musicians Partnership the planning or participation of a worship service, they would engage more fully. A summary of this survey’s findings will be made available to all current YMP congregations.

Reflecting on Lutheran Summer Music 2010, our students continue to embody Lutheran Music Program’s mission, vision, and values. All of their separate stories combine into one big narrative as the mission comes alive in the LSM community and Fall Throwdown Challenge

Once again, all returning students who register by September 30 will receive the $250 early application discount plus a $100 bonus. Here’s the challenge — if we reach 70 students by that date, we will give all returning students another $100, a total of $450. New applicants will receive the $250 discount plus the additional $100 as part of the 70-student challenge.

Upcoming Recruitment Trips

Admissions staff will be recruiting in Florida, Illinois, Washington, and Nebraska this year. If you would like our staff to visit your church or community, contact Sue Olstad at solstad@lutheransummermusic.org. Travel dates and details will be posted on our website this fall.

• In one of our church visits, we met with a youth director who got so excited about LSM and told his congregation about the program. One member, a retired physician and organist, wanted to support the congregation’s young musicians by way of full scholarships to LSM. Their first LSM student attended this summer.

• For the second year in a row, a pastor has helped a gifted young musician complete his application, raise additional tuition and transportation funds locally, and assist him in making his travel plans.

• A church with a membership of less than 300 is now in its third year with the YMP. In its first year, the church sent one student to LSM. This summer, they sent a total of six LSM students, and that first student attended as one of our college student interns.

All of these stories and so many more are the parts of the sum that is our mission to “transform lives and connect people through faith and music.” To join the YMP as a partner congregation, or to learn more, contact Sue at solstad@lutheransummermusic.org or 888-635-6583.

musically, but most of all it is a place where the music and the spiritual side of things collide to form a wonderful and diverse community. and magnificent soprano Kate and I went and listened in on the FABULOUS LSM Orchestra rehearsal. If you are planning on attending the orchestra concert, which you all should, you are definitely in for a giant treat!! [Editor’s note: those of you who were in attendance know that Dietrich was not kidding. Congratulations to all of our marvelous ensembles on great performances!]

That was followed by a truly moving choir rehearsal in the CFL, where we ran through the entire Son of God Mass, by Nurturing Community

“It’s an incredibly wonderful feeling to be surrounded by people my age who share my faith and support and love each other in order to make a wonderful community.” * “Before LSM, I didn’t realize how much music and God intertwine in my life. It has been a fantastic realization for my life.” *

— Dietrich is an organ and voice student from Louisiana. 2010 marked his second summer at Lutheran Summer Music.

by the Numbers LSM 2010 Statistics

149 high school students and 11 college student interns 33 states and 3 foreign countries represented

44% returning students 38% from Young Musicians Partnership congregations

97% received financial aid through early application discounts, YMP scholarships, need-based aid, merit awards, or travel assistance Top States Represented

Minnesota Illinois Washington Iowa Wisconsin

27 15 14 14 12

James Whitbourn, that will be performed on Friday night’s choir concert!

The day came to a close with activities such as meeting with our service groups to discuss Festival Week coming up and then the close of the day came with dorm devotions with Pastor Michael. Bedtime came early which disappointed some but in the long run was best for us all. I am looking forward to the many concerts and recitals coming up in the next few days and I hope you are too. LSM is such a great place to learn spiritually and

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Celebr ating 30 Years The 30th annual Lutheran Summer Music Academy will take place from June 26 to July 24, 2011, on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. We will complete our three-year residency at Luther College with a joint celebration that acknowledges our three decades of service to young people and helps our host campus celebrate its own sesquicentennial.

We look forward to again welcoming talented, young musicians from across the country and around the world for four weeks of musical immersion and spiritual growth.

Highlights for the year ahead include: • Dr. Jeffrey Doebler, Valparaiso University, returns to conduct the 2011 LSM Band.

doebler

We’ll also be hosting a special fundraising dinner to support the LSM Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $50 per person and attendance is limited. Check our website in the coming weeks for information on purchasing tickets.

Beyond LSM, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary throughout the year and around the country. We’re planning hymn festivals and “At Home with LSM” events in various locations nationwide — stay tuned on our website for more details, and if you’d like to help plan or host an event, please contact us. We have a wonderful legacy to celebrate and look forward to doing so with you in the coming year!

Hightower

• Dr. Allen Hightower, Luther College’s new Nordic Choir conductor, will be the Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Concert Choir Chair. Hightower conducted the LSM Choir in 2007.

• Dr. David Upham returns for his second year as the LSM Orchestra conductor after a stellar first season in 2010.

• Rev. Wayne Weissenbueller will serve as LSM Chaplain, having previously done so in 2006 and 2009.

• Our special guest artist at LSM 2011 will be vocal ensemble Magnum Chorum under the direction of Dr. Chris Aspaas.

upham

Weissenbuehler

While LSM has undergone remarkably little change since its first summer, we’re tweaking the schedule a bit next year in order to encourage attendance by LSM parents and alumni.

The LSM Hymn Festival, under the direction of the Paul Bouman Chapel Choir Conductor Zebulon Highben, will move to Wednesday evening, July 20. Plan to join us for this vibrant nexus of Lutheran liturgy and musical performances.

Composing a Legacy LMP Partners with Thrivent on Major Alumni Initiative

2011 will mark the 30th anniversary of Lutheran Music Program and Lutheran Summer Music. Over the past three decades, more than 3,000 talented young musicians have attended LSM and, thanks to that experience, have gone on to serve congregations across the country as music directors, clergy, choir conductors, organists, and lay musicians. Unfortunately, we’ve lost track of more than 50% of our alumni over the years!

And, we’ve never been able to document the impact that LSM has in encouraging lifelong involvement in congregational worship.

That changes this fall when we will undertake the first comprehensive research study of alumni to help us understand the difference LSM makes in their lives and to the church. Dr. Matt Bernthal ’83 (former Lutheran Music Program board member and son of founder Rev. August “Gus” Bernthal) will lead the study through his work at the University of South Carolina and the Sloan Institute. But before we can send out the survey, we have to find all of those lost LSM alumni! Here’s where you can help: • LSM Parents, we’ve kept in touch with you through this newsletter, but do not assume we know where your LSM student is — frankly, we probably don’t. Fill out the Alumni Update form on our website, www.lutheransummermusic.org (look for the red “Alum Update” button on the front page), to share your child’s contact information (address, email, etc.) and tell us about their current musical endeavors or other post-LSM achievements.

• Alumni who receive this newsletter, please help us connect with your friends from LSM with whom you are still in touch by filling out the same form as mentioned above or encouraging them to do the same.

• Complete your LSM survey, when you receive it later this year, and send it back. YOUR experience counts, and we need to hear from you to help us understand the impact of our work.

• Mark your calendar for LSM’s 30th anniversary: join us in Decorah from June 26 to July 24, 2011. Become a fan of

g i v i n g

Lutheran Summer Music on Facebook and be the first to know about alumni musical events at LSM 2011 and events for all LSM fans around the country in the coming years.

This comprehensive project to reconnect with LSM alumni is possible thanks to a significant grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. If you are a Thrivent member, thank you. Your membership supports Lutheran organizations like ours. By reconnecting with our alumni and reengaging them in our work, we have the opportunity to set the stage for 30 more years of musical, spiritual, and personal growth.

Our New Board Members Lutheran Music Program is pleased to welcome Scott Hyslop and Charles Sukup to our board of directors. We are grateful that they have volunteered their time and talents on behalf of our mission and work.

Dr. Scott M. Hyslop currently serves as director of parish music at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Hyslop’s educational background includes a D.M.A. in organ and sacred music from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in church music from Concordia University Chicago, and a B.M. from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Hyslop has numerous compositions published, and his biography on Paul Manz was published by MorningStar Music Publishers.

Charles Sukup is President of Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield, Iowa, the largest familyowned and operated manufacturer of grain handling equipment, bins, and dryers. Charles received a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural engineering from Iowa State University and also studied carillon and organ there. He is organist at Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield and is currently a member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors.

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a l u m n i 1983

• Katrina Mundinger (’83), Minneapolis, MN, plays clarinet with the group Orkestar Bez Ime. She writes, “I’ve been busy making music ever since I left LSM! I consider the experience to have been one of the most formative times in my life musically.”

1985

• Matthew Tipton (’85), Sterling Heights, MI, is director of a barbershop chorus, sings in a competing quartet, and plays and sings in church. “[My] two oldest daughters [are] excelling in piano and violin and all three are great singers.”

1986

• Jackie (Prahl) Pearce (’86), Wheaton, IL, works for College Church in Wheaton as an administrative assistant. She and her husband Bryan have three children, and she sings with the New Classic Singers in Glen Ellyn.

• Nannette (Schilling) Troyan (’86), Martins Ferry, OH, serves as worship leader and choir director for her church.

1989

• Daryl Handlin (’89; counselor ’99, ’00), Wichita, KS, is a senior social worker and lives with his wife and two children. He has sung with a number of local, professional groups and is active with music at his church.

1991

• Patrick McGowan (’89–’91), Sioux Falls, SD, works in business development with McGowan Capital Group.

• Sangeetha Rayapati (’90, ’91; counselor ’97; faculty ’99–’03), Moline, IA, has a book entitled Sing Into Your Sixties and Beyond coming out this fall with Inside View Press.

1992

• Jason Thoms (’90–’92), Bronxville, NY, writes, “My son Wilyem attended LSM in 2010, 20 years after I first attended!”

1996

• Mark Galinat (’95, ’96), Murfreesboro, TN, is serving in the U.S. Army.

• Angela (Young) Smucker (’94–’96), Chicago, IL, teaches voice at Valparaiso University. Her husband is a doctoral student in music theory at the University of Chicago.

1997

• Anna McKnight Matney (’95–’97), Blacklick, OH, is married to a fellow musician and teaches Spanish.

• Jami McLaren (’97), Crystal, MN, is a senior scientist at Sterilucent in Minneapolis.

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1998

• Lori Bormet (’94–’98; intern ’99, ’00; counselor ’06), Forest Park, IL, serves as director of choral and general music at Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park.

• Ryan K. Hostler (’97, ’98; intern ’99; summer staff ’02–’04), Tampa, FL, designed the liturgy for and served as chief musician at the Florida Bahamas Synod Assembly (ELCA) in Orlando.

Ryan serves as minister of music at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Haines City, FL. • Katie (Liebowitz) Stevenson (’97, ’98; counselor ’04), New York City, NY, writes, “I have now moved from Alaska and am on my way to New York City to pursue my dream as an opera singer.

I cherished the summers I spent at LSM and they undoubtedly contributed to my success.”

1999

• Derek Molacek (’98, ’99), Omaha, NE, completed his master’s degree in jazz studies on trombone at the University of Texas in 2009. He will soon join the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West.

• Anna Plagman (’98, ’99), Lubbock, TX, received her M.M. in flute performance from Texas Tech University in May.

2000

• Chad Fothergill (’00), St. Peter, MN, recently completed this third summer as worship assistant at LSM and also taught musicianship and organ lessons. He is presently Cantor at Christ Chapel and visiting instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Jonas Thoms (’98–’00), Evansville, IN, plays principal horn with the Evansville Philharmonic and teaches horn at the University of Evansville.

2004

• Caroline Bailey (’03, ’04), Orange, CA, sings in the Orange County Pacific Chorale. “I am proud to say that a lot of my musical endeavors have stemmed from my time in Decorah, Iowa.”

• Kristen Jones (’01–’04), Clinton, IA, is a data entry keyer for Data Dimensions.

2006

• Daniel Scheitel (’06), Rochester, MN, recently received an A.A.S. degree in baking and patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis.

He serves as an organist and piano accompanist for two churches in the Rochester area.

2007

• Alicia Johnson (’07), Tacoma, WA, is pursuing an English writing major and music minor at Pacific Lutheran University. She also works in the university’s admissions office.

2008

• Jacob Poulos (’05–’08), Clio, MI, just finished his second year at the University of Denver and attended the Colorado College Summer Music Festival this summer. “This fall, I will be studying abroad in London, England, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.”

• Megan Wright (intern ’08), Houston, TX, graduated from Concordia University, Irvine in 2009 with a B.A. in music and a minor in graphic design. She will start teaching music at a K–8 Lutheran school in Texas this fall.

2009

• Andrea Arntsen-Harris (’00, ’01), Chicago, IL, is a development assistant in donor relations for the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

• Breanna Betourne (’08, ’09), Irvine, CA, covered the role of Olga in the opera The Merry Widow at the Bear Valley Music Festival this summer.

• Tim McCarthy (’08, ’09), Brush Prairie, WA, was selected to attend the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute with 70 other students ages 15–20.

• Andrew Robinson (intern ’09), Wellington, OH, recently received his B.A. in music performance from Valparaiso University. He’s now pursuing an M.M. in teaching from Oberlin Conservatory. He works as director of the celebration bells at a local church.

2003

Marriages

2001

• Robert Chambers (’00–’03, intern ’06), Springfield, IL, recently accepted a manager position with the Illinois Symphony.

• Nicole Koehler (’03), St. Joseph, MO, received her master of sacred music from the University of Notre Dame this year. She serves as director of music at a local church.

• Dana (Raabe) Reynolds (’03), Battle Creek, NE, recently got married and is in charge of all things music, including the choirs and handbells, at a Lutheran school and church.

• Rebekah Degner (’99–’02) Schommer, November 26, 2009.

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Children

• Cynthia C. (Kuehnert) Bowen (’90, ’91), Virginia Beach, VA, and husband, a son, Croix Stuart, May 24, 2010. He joins two older sisters.

• Suzanne (Lamberty) Moe (’88–’90), Wadena, MN, and Allen Moe, a baby girl, Lily Sophia, on March 15, 2010. Suzanne writes, “Lily joins brothers Alex (7) and Noah (3). Note her initials: LSM!”

Got News?

Send us your news and a photo for use in the newsletter, space permitting, to lsm@ lutheransummermusic.org. Be sure to include your current address. If married, please include your maiden name and how you would like to be addressed as a couple.

Then and Now Above left: Ellen Veomett, Jami McLaren, and Angela Veomett at LSM in 1997. Above right: Angela, Jami, and Ellen in 2010.

YOU can Sing with all the Saints in Glory!

The Hymn Festival is a treasured event each year at LSM. This fall, we’re engaged with multiple hymn festivals around the country and hope that you will join us. Proceeds from these participatory music and worship events benefit the LSM Scholarship Fund.

Triune God, to You We Sing — The 8 Lutheran Hymn Festival of Dallas Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, Texas Purchase tickets by calling 817-861-0535 or online at www.lutheranhymnfestival.org. th

Hymn Festival* Sunday, September 26, 2010 Buffalo, New York Scott Hyslop, Organist and Music Director Hymn Festival* Sunday, November 7, 2010 Cherokee, Iowa Scott Hyslop, Organist and Music Director To learn more about hosting a Lutheran Music Program Hymn Festival in your community, contact Beth at 888-635-6583 or bburns@lutheransummermusic.org.

We look forward to hosting hymn festivals around the country in the coming year to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! *The time and location for this event will be posted on our website as they become available.

Luther College, Decorah, Iowa

Join us for our 30 Summer!

LSM 2011 is June 26–July 24 th

122 W Franklin Avenue, Suite 230 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451 www.lutheransummermusic.org

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