2024 Alumni Gathering
July 25-28, Valparaiso University
Return to LSM to celebrate and share in an exciting multi-day alumni gathering full of opportunities to reconnect to your transformational LSM experiences. Join us for a weekend of concerts, worship, singing in the alumni choir, and sharing meals and receptions with LSM faculty, leadership, current students, and fellow alumni. Connect with old friends, make new ones, and surround yourself with music, faith, fun, and fellowship.
2024 Alumni Gathering Itinerary
Share your favorite memories from LSM, create new ones, and support the next generation of students by joining any of the following opportunities during the summer gathering:
Alumni Choir (offering music at Evening Prayer and Festival Worship)
Alumni Welcome Dinner
Alumni Reception
Worship Assistant Opportunities
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Student Recitals
Festival Week Concerts (Musical Theatre, Jazz Ensemble, Band, Choir, and Orchestra)
Festival Worship
Dr. Christopher Aspaas
Join your peers and sing with Dr. Christopher Aspaas, LSM Festival Choir Director 2008, 2010, and 2012. Dr. Aspaas serves as Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Texas Christian University. He has served on the faculties of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
2024 Alumni Choir Director
LSM 2010
Registration
Registration is open to alumni, family, and friends of LSM. Registration includes 3 meals: Friday Alumni Welcome Dinner, Saturday lunch, and Saturday Board of Directors Reception, post-concert receptions, participation in all activities, LSM T-shirt, and unlimited coffee and refreshments. Registration fees:
By May 1: $50
By June 26: $75
After June 26/Upon Arrival: $100
LSM concerts are free and open to the public and do not require registration. For guests wanting to join alumni gathering activities, meals, and receptions, please register each guest individually. Lodging is arranged separately, see below for more details.
Alumni Gathering 2023
Lodging
Please note that lodging arrangements need to be made separately from the general registration for the alumni gathering.
Hotels
LSM has reserved a blocks of rooms at two local hotels for Festival Week (July 24-28, 2024). Rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis, and are managed directly by the hotel. Reserve by calling the hotel. Make your arrangements by June 8, and reference Lutheran Summer Music when prompted.
There are numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other accommodations in Valparaiso and neighboring towns. Reserve at your leisure.
Best Western
1.5 miles from campus
760 W Morthland Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 850-1100
Country Inn & Suites
Across from campus
2020 Laporte Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 476-0000
Dr. Sangeetha Rayapati
2023 Alumni Award Recipient
LSM’s inaugural Alumni Award was presented to Dr. Sangeetha Rayapati (LSM Student 1990-91, Counselor 1997, Voice Faculty 2000-03) during LSM 2023 at the annual Board of Directors Reception. With over 100 guests in attendance and just hours before the final orchestra concert, the energy in the room was palpable.
Dr. Rapayati delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that expounded on the fortuitous ways LSM comes into our lives, continues to shape us, and leads us down paths of service and meaning.
The LSM Annual Alumni Award recognizes an alum who has made significant contributions to their community, church, or society at large, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, vocations, or careers have positively shaped our world and reflect the spirit of LSM.
Do you know an LSM alum who is deserving of recognition? Nominate them by April 30, 2024.
Tom Bandar, Executive Director and Dr. Sangeetha Rayapati
Lawton Hall
2024 Alumni Commission Composer
LSM is excited to launch the Annual Alumni Composition Commission project, which aims to support and showcase alumni composers through commissioned works. This year's inaugural alumni composer, Lawton Hall (LSM 2005-2006), has been commissioned to write a new work for brass that will be premiered at the Praetorius Brass Faculty Recital this summer.
The commission project is a part of LSM's ongoing initiatives to support its alumni and promote their work. Following the premiere, the new work will be available for free download on LSM's website.
Lawton Hall (LSM 2005-2006)