Electives

Note: some electives that culminate in a final performance are only available to Full Session students.

OFFERED EVERY SUMMER

• Chapel Choir: This non-auditioned choir rehearses daily and provides music for worship throughout LSM.

• Church Music: Lutheran hymnody, liturgical history, and worship planning are explored.

• Composition: Discover your creative voice with the instruction of a professional composer, and premiere your original piece in collaboration with your fellow students. Full Session Only.

• Conducting: Learn basic conducting patterns and methods for conducting both instrumental and choral ensembles.

• Handbells*: Learn the elements and techniques of playing in a handbell choir.  The handbell choir regularly serves in worship, the Hymn Festival, and select concerts. Full Session Only.

• Intro to the Pipe Organ: Learn how the pipe organ works and experience playing this majestic instrument (basic keyboard skills required).

• Jazz Ensemble*: Jazz theory, techniques, and history come together in this lively auditioned performing ensemble. Full Session Only.

• Jazz Improv: In this non-auditioned class, instrumental students interested in jazz will learn fundamentals, techniques and improvisational skills.

• Musical Theatre: Sing musical theatre solos and ensemble numbers in preparation for a final performance.

• Musical Theatre Intensive*: In addition to learning solos and ensemble numbers for a musical theatre performance, students will have added opportunities for individualized coaching and master-class sessions to learn about acting through song. Full Session Only. Space limited to 18 participants.

*Audition required

OFFERED IN ROTATION

• Class Guitar: Explore basic guitar techniques and notation and learn simple songs as a group. Designed for students with no formal training/limited guitar experience. Spaces limited due to number of guitars available.

• Class Piano: Curious how to play the piano? Piano beginners, or those who need a brush-up, are encouraged to attend this class! Spaces limited due to number of pianos/keyboards available.

• Class Voice: Learn vocal fundamentals and find your voice in this class! Ideal for interested singers who have never sung in a choir or taken lessons before.

• Music Education: Explore education career ideas and basic principles of teaching music. A great experience for potential future music educators!

• Music History: An overview of Western music history, including the lives and works of composers and musicians from different historical periods including Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and Modern eras. 

• Music Technology: Basics of audio recording and editing. Includes training with digital software, working with microphones, recording practices for different types of music and instruments, and editing techniques.

• Non-Western Music: Introduction to traditional music and musical instruments from Asia (India, China, Japan, Indonesia) and countries of Africa.

• Music Therapy: The Art and Science of Music Therapy: Discover the stories and science behind the inspiring profession of music therapy. In this class, you will learn what music therapy is, its powerful therapeutic qualities, how to use music for your own stressors, learn therapeutic repertoire, and find out about music therapy as a potential career path.