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.

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.