LSM Expands Outreach Initiatives

LSM 2023 students: Jordyn (bass), Abigayle (organ), & Cora (piano)

This summer, Lutheran Summer Music expanded its efforts with an extensive outreach initiative, bringing the LSM experience off campus and into the local and global community. Faculty, students, and fellows are offering their musical gifts in church services, retirement communities, and even full-length recitals off campus. LSM also enhanced the livestream experience for over 20 recitals and concerts that serve the national and international audience of LSM.

Throughout the summer, fellows and faculty have shared preludes, offertories, descants, and more during services in three Valparaiso Lutheran congregations: Trinity Lutheran, Christ Lutheran, and Immanuel Lutheran. The energy of the LSM community spread through collaboration with church musicians, worshipping alongside new friends, and sharing in post-service conversations.

LSM students also joined in the excitement. Three students, Abigayle, Jordyn, and Cora traveled 30 miles northwest to perform at Abigayle’s home congregation, Christ Lutheran Church of Hammond, IN, where Abi serves as her church’s organist. With the help of her friends, they provided musical leadership for the entire service.

The LSM fellows, accompanied by Nicole Lee (LSM Piano Faculty and Outreach Coordinator), gave a full-length recital at Trinity Lutheran Church. The afternoon concert included solo works, duets, a vocal quartet, brass quintet, and more. Followed by a joyous reception, musicians and attendees conversed about big and small topics: hometowns, faith backgrounds, musical aspirations, and so much more.

LSM musicians also shared their talents with many local retirement communities, including Pines Senior Village, Meridian Woods, and Valparaiso Senior Village. Both formal recitals and informal lunchtime music provided an uplifting presence to many who could not easily attend concerts on campus. Several local retirement communities have also arranged group transportation to bring their residents to Valparaiso University to enjoy LSM concerts in person.

Efforts to enhance the livestream experience have provided hundreds of LSM community members around the world the opportunity to easily tune in to over 20 LSM concerts and events. Simulcasting to three platforms, live chats, digital programs, and the addition of text overlay all help bring the LSM experience closer to home. The 2023 Livestream Archive is also now available, providing the chance to catch a missed concert or rewatch your favorite moments from the summer.

Fellows at Trinity Lutheran

Faculty and fellows perform at retirement communities

Jorge Montilla Sr., father of LSM Clarinet Faculty, Jorge Montilla, joins LSM via livestream from Venezuela