Dean Dot's LSM Blog
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 a variety of roles—from counselor to Dean of Students to an instructor. Now, Dean Dot has returned to LSM for the 40th anniversary season. Follow along as she shares her thoughts on LSM 2022! (And check back often!)
September 24, 2022
The Transformational Experience of LSM
Forty years, and it’s still changing my life! Lutheran Summer Music – 1982 - I called and asked to be a part of it. 2022 - I called and asked to be a part of it again. In between it has taught me how to build a musical worshipping community. It was integral to my Lutheran teaching ministry of 43 years and now in my “retirement,” God calls me via LSM to retake the mantle and serve Him. When I got home this summer, I struggled with putting the “LSM-reenergized” me back into contact with opportunities of service. By the end of this month a new “schedule” has emerged: working with new middle school band students at one school, teaching music to the youngest students in early childhood classrooms, visiting folks who can’t get out and about and sharing videos of the choir songs from the previous week’s services. The woodwind quintet that I play in has set a monthly schedule of performances for the folks who live in my husband’s assisted living home. Conducting our community band also was added when the conductor faced some medical issues. Cheryl Lemmons’ practice hints did not fall on deaf ears. Playing nearly every day makes oboe playing all the better. Channeling Jeff Doebler as I conduct the band gives me a new drive.
This is an accounting of what LSM gave me permission to do. Permission, and a reawakening of living in a tightly bonded community, relishing the grace of God. Thank you for the opportunity to be present and soak in the spiritual waters, resplendent in tunes of delight.
1986 - Dean Dot, morning announcements
Augustana, Rock Island, IL
2022 - Dot’s LSM office
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
August 11, 2022
LSM Music Education Elective 2022
The Music Education Elective that I taught this summer at LSM included interviews of five of the LSM Faculty to give a wide range of the potential roles a person could take as a music educator. Along with those, we spent time singing, playing and experiencing music so that some basic teaching skills were demonstrated and evaluated. For my students, my hope is that your passion for children and music-making has been reinforced and that you have a better idea what it will take for you to become the music educator that you want to become.
Below are some of the resources we used and summaries of the interviews:
The Richards Institute – Education through Music
Bonnie McSpadden Blog: New Music Teacher Club
Education Through Music - Song Experience Games
Oh, here we are together
Rig-a-jig-jig
Oats Peas Beans
I gave my love a cherry
Rain Rain
Kitty Kitty casket
Going down the railroad
Clickety clickety clack
Fly away little birdie
Someone’s wearing
Penny
Tallis Canon
Good King Wenceslas
Elements of music
Melody
Volume
Expression
Harmony
Rhythm
Timbre
Form
Passion
Love Jesus
Love kids
Love music
Strategies
Repetition with variations to maintain interest
Experience before declaratory
Sound before sight
Story songs’ movement is derived from lyrics
Movement starts when the song starts and stops when the song stops.
Interviews With Faculty
Bruce Atwell – LSM Horn Instructor
1. What do you wish you knew before you started teaching?
The give and take in the classroom
2. What is your favorite part about teaching now?
Figuring out how students learn, personal learning style
3. What is your most important thing to communicate or model?
curiosity
4. What keeps you returning to the classroom?
I love teaching
5. What is the skill you wish you had spent more time developing?
Intonation
Just intonation – tuning to the harmonics vs. even temperament
Instruments for Liberia
Lessons – be specific and goal oriented
6. What practices have you adopted so that children know you like them, but mean business?
Set rules
Calm down
Play all the time, minimal talk
7. Private lessons – other skills needed
Business skills
Finances
Taxes
Scheduling
Nancy Menk – LSM Festival Choir Conductor
1. Introduction
Taught all levels and ended up with 37 years collegiate level
2. What are important things to do with a new choir in your first rehearsal?
Sort by matching voices
Sing Happy Birthday (used to do My Country tis of Thee, but no one knows it)
Small groups, solos, move around till the voices match
Put the better readers on the outside
Heavier voices back farther
3. Demonstrate your favorite choral warm up.
Use head voice - high ooooh down to aaah and then dmsd’
4. What is your favorite part about teaching now?
I love conducting and teaching conducting
Commissioning new music
$1,000/minute is the going rate
5. What is your most important thing to communicate or model?
Respect for what is on the page
Bring music to life
Process of birthing a performance. Conductor is the conduit.
6. What keeps you returning to the classroom?
Love the students
Love conducting
7. What is the skill you wish you had spent more time developing?
Figuring out middle schoolers, voice changes
Paul Morton - LSM Jazz Leader and Trumpet Instructor
1. When I was 10 I told mom I was going to be a professional trumpet player
Al Hirt LP – trumpet called to me
Vitally important if you want to be a music educator
Find out your passion, talk about, feel about, think about all the time
You give your passion away
Get paid for it
Get up every day and do the work – best music ed student, best….
2. How did jazz capture you?
NC visiting artist, brass clinics in schools
Paisley’s restaurant – play jazz every Tuesday – pf, bass, drums, guitar
Just start
3. How do you start a jazz program? Junior high or high school?
Why –
It’s fun
Why music – focus, consistency, fulfillment, community, ensemble working together, conceptual thinking, listen and model, recognize beauty, meet deadlines
Creativity, higher level of conception, quintessential American music
Fusion of African and European elements
Most democratic art-form
No conductor – rhythm section leads it
Chamber music
Traffic cop
Improv
Everyone has a role to play
Improvise every rehearsal
Swing – style, lexicon (riff=ostinato, head=melody,) repetition/contrast
Rough sound – ghosting notes
I real pro – app with play along and chord changes
Chad Fothergill – LSM Cantor
1. Introduction
Lives in Birmingham AL
Supports church musicians
His instrument is the gathered assembly- “equipping the saints”
2. How is music education a part of what your role as cantor – leading the church in song?
Ways to teach
Music is communal – people oriented
Teach them things they don’t know they need yet
3. What skills are specific to congregational work?
Rhythm – tacktus- broader pulse -maintain through phrases and stanzas
Gesture – tension and release
Text
Lead so well that you are unnecessary
Plan like crazy and be flexible enough to throw it all out depending on need of people or space, low barometric pressure, German perfect vs. community
4. What do you wish you knew before you started teaching?
Guitar techniques, percussion tech, psych classes, family systems
5. What is your most important thing to communicate or model?
Love the people more than the music; openness to just being
6. Other info:
No meters in hymnal - Minimal notation in hymns, poetry to be sung -allows for variety
Jeff Doebler – LSM Festival Band Conductor
1. Tell us a little about your background and what you do in non-LSM time
Music ed Valpo U prof, band director
Involved in church music since 6th grade
Adult community bands, professional level group (Windiana), Michigan City Muni band, clinics
2. Why should a school have a band program?
So we can participate in art and create music, create beauty each day
Many other performance opportunities in school – doing music
Guitar ensemble
Ukulele ensemble
Piano ensemble
Drumming groups
Jazz groups
combos
1838 Lowell Mason - Boston
3. What skills are critical for a new band director to have?
Love people and working with people
Musical and leadership skills – study the music and teach the music
Organization and communication
4. What is your favorite part about teaching now?
40 years of teaching/30 years at Valpo
Working with people achieving beauty and artistry
5. What is your most important thing to communicate or model?
Respect and kindness, cooperation
6. What keeps you returning to the classroom?
What we do in music ed. matters
Always more to learn
7. What is the skills are you continuing to develop?
Always ready to learn more, keep going,
LSM – learn more about music, share that with others in church or community, bring that level of artistry to others
Kevin Sütterlin – LSM Festival Orchestra Conductor
1. Tell us a little about your background and what you do when you’re not at LSM.
Born in Germany
Some awful music teachers
Only become a music educator if you are passionate about it
How to work together with each other
Not just a “fall back” career
Conduct orchestras – live in that sound world, repertoire
Effort, determination and grit, not just talent
Degree in wind ensemble conducting
While already working on master’s degree, was accepted into orchestral conducting at Memphis State
Role model as an educator – generous, respect, grace, dignity, pay things forward
I am a successful teacher if my students surpass me
Teaches
Orchestra 4 days a week
Conducting – gestural work
Private lessons
Classes –
Music appreciation
Performance practice
German art song
2. What is the function of a string program?
They are rarer in schools (compared to band or choir)
Demographics, budgetary considerations
Music for sure should be offered every day
3. What is your favorite part about teaching now?
Seeing recurring success in students
Never underestimate the power of a good bad example
Be aware of conducting lineage
Score study before listening to other recordings
Observing string players, be able to speak like one
July 23, 2022
Day 28 of LSM 40: Alumni – Part 1
Speech I gave at morning announcements on Saturday, July 23:
You are one day away from becoming alumni of LSM. That is an honor that many people in this room have been called, some for up to 40 years. Yesterday I heard story after story of how their life changed by being at LSM- college choices determined, course of study decided or a new one considered, faith life enhanced, significant friends made, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the romances begun which culminated in marriage.
For me, this month has reinforced the value of patterns, collaboration, and encouragement.
Patterns-embracing the rhythm of the day—getting up at the same time every day, worship, learn stuff, eat, mix with folks, worship, go to bed.
Collaboration- as Cheryl put it to me yesterday, co-laborers with Christ, working together to achieve beauty in music, relationships and worship.
Encouragement- lifting up each other with a word, a smile, a hug, a prayer
When I talked with my husband on Wednesday, he said to me, “Have a good time and make the most of it.”
After you are home and have caught up on your sleep, think about the good times that you had and how you made the most of it, how LSM has changed you.
Then make the most of being alumni:
Sign up to come again next year
Tell others about your experience
Encourage others to attend
Make a financial commitment to support LSM
Pray that God will continue to bless LSM in the years ahead, from generation to generation
Welcome to the LSM alumni!
Dot at morning announcements on 7/23/2022. Photo Credit: Michael Schaner
July 20, 2022
Day 25 of LSM 40: From One Generation to Another
Barry & Donna Bobb, Dot, and Steve Wente
Dot and Tom Schmidt
Psalm 145:4 & 7—One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
This week the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) is having their conference on the Valparaiso campus. Worshipping with two hundred additional voices has increased our collective joy. The gathering of both constituencies encourages the ALCM attendees to see LSM as a vital link in the nurturing of new church musicians.
Greeting friends, former colleagues, and making new connections is certainly fun, but also enlightening. Having lunch with Barry and Donna Bobb (representing CUC’s Center for Church Music) included reminders of college days at CTC, River Forest, and learning that the Sunday School curriculum that I had taught for 13 years (Twos and Parents together with Jesus) had been written by Donna. Steve Wente, retired chair of the CUC’s Music Department, and also my classmate, soaked up the musical presentations and reveled at the chance to see how the next crop of students will impact the church.
Tom Schmidt was one of the piano faculty in the early LSM days. He is so delighted to be back in the LSM community and feels right at home, encouraged that what was started in 1982 continues to impact the community and the church in so many of the same ways – faith, musical excellence and community.
Yesterday I hosted a session on Education through Music for the counselors that are music education majors. (https://new.richardsinstitute.org/) This gave me the opportunity to share how play, connected through music, movement, and language, can promote strong cognition and social/emotional stability. Finding joy in taking a train ride via Clickety Clickety Clack opened up new possibilities for budding educators. Learning how to calm reactive children with the structure of the song experience game is something they will definitely use.
Telling the story of Jesus, whether through a puppet named Chippy to two-year-olds, or in Bach motets auf Deutsch from Calmus, the church’s song goes on. Sung from the organ loft with Zimblestern pealing the Three in One and One in Three, we sing the Word to the world yet to come.
July 20, 2022
Day 25 of LSM 40: Fellows
One of the biggest changes to LSM since my early days, has been the addition of the Fellows Program. LSM began as a training ground for high school students. With the addition of the Fellows, it now includes college-aged musicians and recent graduates. The Fellows function as mentors, section leaders, teaching assistants, instructors, and administrative support. Each Fellow auditions for the position and indicates areas of musical expertise and interest. Working with the faculty, Tom Bandar selects those who will be the best fit for each instrument and voice part. Specifics about the program can be found on the LSM website: https://www.lsmacademy.org/fellowship
For some of the thirty-one Fellows, this is their first exposure to LSM. Natalie, voice Fellow, is teaching lessons, studying voice, and enjoys performing in an unpretentious and noncompetitive environment. She sees LSM as an extension of her studies.
Olivia, another first year Fellow, was recommended by first year faculty flutist Elise Blatchford, from Memphis State University. LSM has exceeded her expectations. She has been able to teach a variety of levels of flute students, play in the orchestra, perform solos, and ensembles with other fellows and students.
Abby, Violin Fellow, is so thankful to be able to learn and perform at LSM – orchestra, string quartet, solo works, make connections, and learn from so many different people at camp.
Jessica and Sam are the conducting fellows. They have been working with Dr. Kevin Sütterlin and the LSM Orchestra. Talk about intensive study! Every day they are able to work with the orchestra, discuss rehearsing strategies, get immediate feedback, and grow immensely in skill and delight in leading an orchestra.
Matthew, trombone fellow, participated as a student in 2017 and 2018, and then as a Fellow for the last two years. Being able to follow the experience his parents had at LSM (yep, he’s one of those 2nd generation LSMers) makes his time at LSM all the sweeter.
Teaching Musicianship gave several the opportunity for additional classroom teaching experience. Since face-to-face teaching opportunities during their college experiences were limited by the COVID pandemic, the intimacy of a supportive and collaborative cohort has been a boon.
From the reaction of the students at the Fellows recitals, it was obvious that the impact of the Fellows on the LSM community is a huge plus!
I caught sight of the saxophone dynamic duo of Dr. Stacy Maugans and fellow, Sophia in animated lunch time conversation. The regard between them was palpable from across the dining hall.
Fellows – they learn, they teach, they help others grow. They, too, get captured by the community of LSM.
July 14, 2022
Day 19 of LSM 40: A Strong Hymn is Marinated in the Scriptures
Marinating—I usually think of vinegar on cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes, that I have to shake up every few hours in order to develop the right tang of not quite pickled veggies. Marinating the text of a hymn through the lens of God’s Word doesn’t lead to pickles, but a deeper infusion of what the Spirit brings to enliven the text. When the composer connects the music solidly with the text, even greater understanding can emerge.
On Tuesday, I sat in on the Church Music Elective, led by Chaplain Nathan. He focused on hymn lyrics and had us take an in depth look at The King of Love, My Shepherd is (ELW 502, LSB 709). While the obvious source of the text was Psalm 23, with greater scrutiny, we found Jesus’ “I am” statement from John 10:11-18, “I am the Good Shepherd,” followed by Luke’s account of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15. So, it turns out not to be just a paraphrase of Psalm 23 but enriched by the additional pictures of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who seeks those who are lost, and lays down His life for the sheep (us).
We were then asked to identify our favorite hymn. Now that’s a task…what to pick of so many. I went with the blessing hymn that we used last Sunday, Go, My Children, with my Blessing. As it turned out, both Nathan and I had used this hymn at our weddings. I also used it in the closing concert when one of my schools closed. It is a lovely blessing that we used here to send off the 2-week students. Below are the texts that I found.
Scriptural references in Go, My Children, with my Blessing
ELW 543 LSB 922
Stanza 1
Go, my children, with my blessing
Numbers 6: 24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you...
Never alone
Matt. 28:20 I am with you always
You are my own
Isaiah 43:1 I have called you by name, you are mine.
In my love’s baptismal river
Matthew 3:6 Jesus is baptized in the Jordan river
Stanza 2
Sins forgiven
Matthew 9 Your sins are forgiven
Here you learned how much I love you
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son
Here you touched him
John 20:27 (Jesus to Thomas) Put your finger here
Saw his glory
Mark 9:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
Stanza 3
Go, my children, fed and nourished
Matthew 26:26-28 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin.
Grow in love and love by serving
Luke 10:30-37 Story of the Good Samaritan
Here my Spirit’s power filled you
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
Here my tender comfort stilled you
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
Text: Jaroslav. J. Vajda 1919-2008
Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House
Arr. © Oxford University Press
July 11, 2022
Day 16 of LSM 40: Accommodations–What You Have To Do To Make Things Work
Sometimes I think of accommodations as crutches, other times the words in my head are “tools for success.” Back in 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). For a conductor, this meant dealing with an ichthus that was bouncing all over when I didn’t want it to. As an oboist, when the fingers don’t move when they should, or do when they shouldn’t, it makes it tricky to play with confidence. Learning to live with PD does take some planning and some help.
Let me explain about the accommodations. When Chaplain Nathan asked if I would be Assisting Minister for worship on July 10, I said yes, and then wondered what it would entail. Could I hold the bowl of bread to distribute communion and be able to pick apart the bread from the loaf to hand out? Could I hold the book for the Chaplain without shaking? Would I trip down the stairs because the alb was too long? Could I turn the pages of the bulletin to be able to read the prayers at the right time? Would my voice be loud enough?
To each of these questions, a solution was found. The bowl was light enough. Brittany cut the loaf for ease of distribution. Brittany held the book for Chaplain Nathan and he found a different folio for me to use that was lighter and could be held easily. I found an alb of the right length so I could go up and down stairs without it getting in the way. I turned the corners of the pages, so my fingers could turn without fumbling. Joel controlled the microphone so I could be heard.
Did you notice I didn’t have to do it alone? I had help. I had support and encouragement so that I could do the assigned job of helping to lead worship without getting in the way. The worship could be about singing praise to the One who has come to us, to pull us wounded ones from the side of the road, to heal us and to be with us every step of the way.
Have you noticed who you depend on for help? Your counselors, your teachers, your friends, your parents, your Lord? Who can you help today?
July 8, 2022
Day 12 of LSM 40: Musical Family Joy
When I taught beginning band students, I would tell their parents that they would listen to the world differently because their child was playing an instrument. I told them of how my mother would call me on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. to recount the latest oboe solos played by the Chicago Symphony the night before. She’d listen for the flute, bassoon and oboists because that is what her daughters played. We often played a Vivaldi trio for family events – birthdays, funerals, weddings, family reunions. It is a great source of joy for the three of us to reconnect with that piece of music through the years.
The last couple days have had some shining delight in the “family” music making genre. On the Omega String Faculty Recital on Wednesday, violin fellow Aria Beert played along with her faculty parents, Michael Beert (cello) and Rachel Handlin (violin) on Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir Di Florence. On Thursday, the proud parents cheered Aria’s performance at the Fellows Recital.
While Dr. Cole Burger was performing on stage, his son was making music in the lobby. The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine was given a rousing performance, sung and conducted by his young son, followed by a purposeful bow and a big grin.
Following that recital, Evening Prayer had all kinds of surprises. We had a chance to revel in Mary’s joy in being the mother of our Lord, while Elizabeth felt John leap for joy in her womb. Chaplain Nathan leapt into action to play a jazz setting of the Magnificat on trombone, along with his son, Thomas, on trumpet.
Rachel, Nathan and Cole all attended LSM as students. Now two of their children are attending LSM. That generational music making is something to celebrate here in LSM Year 40.
July 5, 2022
Day 10 of LSM 40: Freedom Within Structure
Lowell Goecker was my high school theology teacher and years later, my principal at St. Mark Lutheran School in Houston. He told the story of a school yard that had no fencing. When the children came out for recess, they didn’t do much more than cluster in the middle of the yard. However, when a fence around the perimeter was added, the children ran freely throughout the yard, willing to spread out to make use of the whole area.
When my COVID confinement ended this morning, I was able to “run freely throughout the yard.” It made me think about traditions that have developed in LSM that give structure to the community and allow it to flourish.
Morning and Evening Prayer
These moments of worship bookend each day. We have used them since 1982.
Daily singing Carl Schalk’s setting of Luther’s Morning Prayer adds a lovely gift beginning around 2011.
Cheryl Taylor Lemmons’ Practice Tip of the Day, given at the end of Morning Announcements (since about 2014), adds a specific musical focus to the tone of the day.
Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past
Anticipating the Half-Session Concert on Saturday when this hymn will be used for Evening Prayer. Dr. Jeff Doebler explains:
In 2016, we implemented the LSM Half Session Concert. In an excellent example of music education in action, the Half Session Concert also allowed us to combine the LSM choir, orchestra, and band for the closing work. To further this tradition, my wife (Karen) and I commissioned our good friend Michael Boo (1955-2020) to create a finale selection that would reflect Lutheran Summer Music. O God, Our Help in Ages Past (St. Anne) is a favorite hymn of ours, and one that is published in each of the Lutheran hymnals I own (ELW 632, LSB 733, LBW 320, LW 180, TLH 123, SBH 168, LH 556). It is also a hymn that is associated with Valparaiso University. We process to it each year in our opening convocation, and the hymn was described by former VU administrators Richard Baepler and Roy Austensen as the unofficial anthem of Valparaiso University. Since Lutheran Music Program and Valparaiso University share the pan-Lutheran tradition, it seemed an ideal choice. I asked Michael Boo to create an arrangement that would work well for the combined groups, and that would allow strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, organ, student voices, and congregation to be featured. Karen and I hope this arrangement will serve the church by joining other long-standing traditions at Lutheran Summer Music.
Paul Morton – Jazz Band
Paul has directed the LSM Jazz program for 24 summers since 1996. He shared his passion of teaching trumpet and jazz band with the music education elective today. While sometimes it might seem that “they play anything,” there is in fact the structure of the harmonic progression, and the scales that fit with those chords that determine the shape of the improvisation. Learning to live and flourish within those parameters is a large part of being a “jazzer.”
What other traditions give you the freedom to explore and create?
July 3, 2022
Day 8 of LSM 40: Day 4 of COVID Isolation
Today I decided to change my perspective. I couldn’t worship with the LSM community, so I watched the livestream from my home congregation, Trinity Downtown, Houston. New members were welcomed, youth were consecrated for service at the upcoming Youth Gathering (held in Houston). Memories of a 3rd grade Patriotic sing-a-long were evoked from all the songs and organ works. Bible class worked through Romans 12:1-8. Verses 4-5 stood out: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
How do we live that out here at LSM? How do we build that “oneness?” It’s been tough changing from being a part of the body, and then being apart through COVID isolation. And yet, I was able to watch the concert livestreams, relive Evening prayer via DropBox, and receive encouraging texts and emails from faculty and staff. I pray for each of you. I ZOOMed into my classroom to teach. I rested and recuperated. While all those are good things, I can’t wait to be really WITH you, experiencing all those individual members, experiencing the different functions in which each excel.
June 30, 2022
Day 5 of LSM 40: Pajama Day
I am thankful that the LSM Student Council declared today Pajama Day. I can feel no guilt sitting around my room in my PJ’s after discovering that I had tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday afternoon. While I would have much preferred to be out and about in my PJ’s, this morning I spent my time in my room, looking out over the traffic flow of Lincolnway from my balcony, snacking on fruit leftovers from breakfast. It’s amazing how many drivers think that having a really loud muffler is an advantage! I suspect there are better ways to call attention to oneself. Last night I saw a few fireworks from the balcony shot off from behind the pawn shop.
A friend wondered what lemonade I can make out of such a “sour” situation. I’ll be looking!
June 28, 2022
Day 3 of LSM 40: Change
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Oh no! It’s a different room, a different class level, a different building!! After waiting three days to find out what I would do “for real” at LSM, the class lists and schedules arrived at bedtime. Initial hysteria and panic settled into, “Peace, be still.” Students arrived the next morning with willing hearts to sing and dance and play. Listening for changes in Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King helped us talk about changes in the rhythm of our lives.
What has changed at LSM compared to 40 years ago?
Dot and Carl Schalk—September 2, 2018
Singing Carl Schalk’s setting for Morning Prayer. Having worked with both Carl and Dieter Nickel, a retired board member for whom it was commissioned, it is a joy to be able to sing it now with the LSM community. (CLICK HERE to hear Dr. Schalk tell the story of how the setting was first presented.)
What do we do with the alumni? A question we asked the second year (1983). How to use the experience and expertise, and yet shape a new community with returnees and newbies together. The process continues as a new iteration is formed of both new and old, steeped in what is best and made better with age and experience.
Giving an extra day to figure out ensembles, auditions, and classes for the faculty, while the student life staff proactively spends time with students to get them an opportunity to get settled before throwing the full gamut of the schedule at them.
What hasn’t changed?
The focus on music, worship, and community
Enthusiastic and gifted faculty
Student life staff that care deeply for their campers
Jesus Christ – He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
June 26, 2022
Day 1 of LSM 40: Dean Dot Returns to LSM
Dottie with Nathan Baker-Trinity, who was a camper in 1994 when Dottie was a counselor.
How strange to have no assignment on the first day of camp:
No running shuttles
No signing students into camp
No auditions to finish
No making sure all the lists were made and the details finished
Instead, I had the freedom to:
Pray with the leadership staff before they headed out of the office to meet the day
Talk with parents of new students who were anticipating leaving their child behind for a month
Listen to Fellows about what brought them to LSM for the first time, or the fifth
Watch faculty collaborate to make functional large and small ensembles after listening to many auditions
Practice oboe and piano to help my fingers and chops regain some functionality after multiple days getting from home to LSM
Dottie Burroughs with Rachel Handlin, who attended LSM in 1986 and 1987. Dottie was Rachel’s counselor.
Then there was Evening Prayer:
Led by Nathan, a camper from when I was Dean, who is now chaplain
Joined by Rachel Handlin, who was on my floor when I was counselor, who is now teaching violin, joined at camp with her cellist instructor husband, and violin fellow daughter
Singing “let my prayer rise before you as incense” knowing that it had been sung every summer for the last 40 years, touching the hearts of countless LSMers
Sharing Mary’s joy in being chosen – she to be the mother of our Savior, and me to be able to return to LSM to revel in music, worship, and community once again
About Dottie:
Back in 1982, I heard that Lutheran Summer Music was starting up. My former college band director (Roger Gard) was supposed to be on staff, and I wanted to work with him again. I contacted Carlos Messerli and asked what I could do to be a part of LSM. He thought I might work out as a girl’s counselor. As it turned out the first year, I was counselor, oboe instructor, and jazz band director. The second year I was counselor again, and Mr. Gard actually came. By 1984, I was the assistant dean of students and then took the post of Dean of Students from 1985 to 1989. I returned once more as counselor in 1994.
The years and job titles don’t really tell the story of LSM’s impact on my life. I was a young music educator (7 years out of school) when LSM started. The influence of being on so many campuses (St. Olaf, Valpo, Luther, Wittenburg, Augustana, Rock Island, Concordia Moorhead, Augustana, Sioux Falls), working with band, orchestra, and choir directors such as Frederick Fennell, Weston Noble, Fred Nyline, Dale Warland, Paul Bouman, Carl Schalk, Craig Helle Johnson and Steve Amundson, made huge impressions on me. Seeing how music and worship support each other enriched how I viewed my ministry in my congregation and in my teaching of middle school bands. Week-long summer band camps that I ran looked like mini LSM’s, opening with morning prayer, taking “caravans” (field trips), working in small ensembles and large.
When I interrupted my LSM career in 1990 to work on a Master’s in Music at the University of Houston, former camper Vanessa Kusilek showed up at the U of H to participate in the first Texas Music Festival. Since I was going through serious LSM withdrawal, we got together and played every Sunday at different churches while she was in town (oboe/bassoon duets).
Students of mine attended LSM and then went on to become music educators at all levels. Other staff ended up being colleagues, working together in Houston.
The lure of the 40th Anniversary celebration enticed me to contact Tom Bander to see if I could come again to be part of the LSM community. He said YES! So, this year I’m teaching Musicianship and an elective, “So, you want to be a Music Educator?!” I am reveling in finding connections from previous years, impact on current student/alumni, and seeing the delight of those newly discovering what LSM has to offer. It is a blessing to my faith-life, my social and emotional self, and my (retired) professional life, living still in musical service to my Lord.