Since the founding of Lutheran Summer Music, churches from across the country have acted as Young Musicians Partner (“YMP”) congregations, sending students to LSM and financially supporting their attendance. These partnerships make LSM possible for dozens of students each year, as the majority of students who require financial aid have benefited from a YMP congregation’s support. LSM also provides a 50% match – up to $500 – to funds contributed to a student’s tuition from a church.

But these partnerships also fulfill one of the important missions of Lutheran Summer Music. Through nurturing students’ musical and social growth, engaging young people musically in worship, and sharing a zeal for church music and liturgical practices during the summer academy, students return to their home congregations with fresh interest in using their gifts in the music ministry of their own churches. In this way, LSM seeks to benefit Young Musicians Partner congregations, or even serve as an extension of each church’s ministries, by providing connections and foundations for growth in their youth and music ministries.

*Ryan-Michael Blake, First Lutheran’s Director of Music and Eddie (LSM 2023-present)*

In most cases, YMP churches support students from within their congregation. First Lutheran Church of Norfolk, VA, sent their first student – Eddie – to LSM in 2023. Ryan-Michael Blake, First Lutheran’s Director of Music, shared,

“Since LSM, Eddie has demonstrated a stronger sense of internal rhythm and a greater awareness in ensemble playing, combined with personal growth from the affirmation of a wider circle of supportive friends.
Not enough is said about the ability of the LSM experience to transform the sponsoring congregation. Our investment in sending students has yielded not only tremendous growth in their own personal character, faith, and musicianship, but has also identified a new missional initiative for the ministry of the music within our community.”

From the success of Eddie’s experience, Ryan-Michael has integrated LSM as a supported offering for youth within the congregation – inviting families with children of all ages to plan for LSM in the future, in combination with the church’s financial pledge for students.

In recent years, more churches have supported students who are not members of their congregation to attend LSM. For some, this commitment is part of outreach, charity or justice-related initiatives – the priority being to provide a student access who would not otherwise be able to attend.

Dr. Erv Janssen, a member of Fellowship Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, first heard of Lutheran Summer Music from his friend Eric Sayre (LSM 2004-2005, External Relations and Alumni Manager). Erv looked up LSM and was inspired – and he immediately started looking around for young musicians who could benefit. It didn’t take long before he found a connection. Erv shared,

*Santiago (LSM 2024-present), gray sweater, with family and Dr. Erv Janssen, far right.*

“When 14 year-old Santiago played his violin for our annual church talent show held by Fellowship Lutheran Church and sister Latinx faith community, Comunidad de Esperanza (Community of Hope), it was immediately clear that he should attend the 2024 Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival.
As a member of a family who had to immigrate to the U.S., who would need total funding to support Santiago, the two faith communities collaborated, bringing people together as a demonstration to strongly support Santiago to further develop his musical skills. It’s just common sense, and solid stewardship.”

Fellowship and Comunidad de Esperanza raised funds for Santiago that surpassed his financial needs for LSM 2024, and they have since established a reserve fund to send more students to LSM in 2025.

St. Luke Lutheran Church of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also supported a student outside of their congregation to attend LSM, thanks to a connection with LSM alum Jeremy Wirth (LSM 1994). Jeremy made connections with local Lutheran congregations, with the interest of supporting LSM student applicants from New Mexico with financial need. Elijah, an oboist from the nearby Navajo Nation, was one such student.

*Advertisement for benefit concert for Elijah (LSM 2023-present).*

Upon learning about Elijah, Organist Nancy Granert, and Director of Music Danielle Cordova from St. Luke Lutheran Church offered to host a benefit concert at the church to raise funds for Elijah. Elijah also attended, met members of the congregation, played his oboe, and he and Jeremy both shared their own personal LSM stories. The event was a huge success, not only financially for Elijah, but as a community event for the church. Danielle Cordova shared, “I'm ecstatic that St. Luke was able to bless Elijah in such a significant way.”

A few YMP congregations have also donated directly to the student scholarship fund at Lutheran Summer Music, treating this stewardship as a missional alignment of their own church’s care and support toward the future of church music – regardless of having a direct personal connection to the student benefactor.

Karen Eddinger, a church musician from Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, PA, first connected with Lutheran Summer Music through her attendance at an overlapping ALCM (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians) conference. While she was eager to encourage students to attend LSM, her congregation didn’t have any young musicians to send for the 2024 academy. But it was still important to her that her church financially support the mission of LSM. Karen wrote,

“Trinity had the first music school in the city of Reading. The congregation has a long-standing tradition of musical excellence… Now I am grateful that Trinity has chosen to support students who will become part of the LSM family.”

Rolland (Rollie) Preuss, a longtime LSM donor and supporter, recently worked with his church’s council to establish an endowment grant for LSM scholarships through his church, Zion Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, MI. The church sends a donation directly to Lutheran Summer Music, with these stipulations: the funds should first be used to support a student from within the church or associated Lutheran school. After that, the priority is to support a student from Kalamazoo, and then offered to any Michigan student in need.

This stewardship provided a new and beautiful connection for Rollie and others from his church when they visited LSM during Festival Week 2024: they were able to meet the scholarship recipients in person, and witness the impact of their generosity firsthand.

In every Young Musicians Partner congregation, we see a vibrant reflection of the generosity of the church, and of a greater community that cares deeply about supporting the growth of young people through music. Thank you to all YMP congregations for your support of LSM students, and of the transformational LSM experience.

To learn how your congregation can support LSM students as a Young Musicians Partner, contact Lisa Hartwig at lhartwig@lutheransummermusic.org.

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