Reflecting in Gratitude: March 2021

By Michael Schaner, LSM 2005-2006 and Advisory Council Member

When I think of LSM, the first word that comes to mind is gratitude. I had no idea as I traveled from Caledonia, Michigan to Decorah, Iowa in 2005 how much that month would continue to impact me all these years later.

My name is Michael Schaner, and I attended LSM in 2005 at Luther College, and in 2006 at Gustavus Adolphus College. I studied organ, and sang in the choir, Bach cantata, and chapel choir while attending LSM. I now serve as the Director of Music Ministries at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, and as a collaborative staff pianist at Carroll University, both in Waukesha Wisconsin. In my role at the church I am the organist and pianist for worship, lead choirs for all ages, handbells, and so much more. I am also a member of the LSM Advisory Council.

Gratitude for continued learning opportunities

I am grateful that LSM continues to provide opportunities for learning. They recently launched the LSM winter session, the LSM conducting institute, and a continued webinar series with a variety of topics. I look forward to leading a webinar on creating a church summer music camp on March 15 (https://www.lsmacademy.org/virtual-events) and I am looking forward to watching the other webinars as well! I was fortunate to inherit a phenomenal music camp program at my church, and I look forward to sharing this concept with others.

L: sock hop in 2005; R: end of LSM 2006. Both are a small selection of longtime friends.

Gratitude for lifelong friendships

I was told that I would make lifelong friends and colleagues from LSM, and at the time I didn’t fully grasp that. Now, sixteen years later I can see how true that statement was. When I went to St. Olaf College I already had several close friends from LSM, which made going to school ten hours away from my family so much easier. Every time I am at church music conference, or even interacting with colleagues, I meet so many others who also went to LSM. I cannot even begin to count the number of deep friendships that came from LSM in my life.

Reconnecting with friends in 2019 at the NLC/LSM Hymn Festival

Gratitude for excellent worship

I grew up Lutheran, and often have experienced good worship services, but LSM was one of the first times that I was able to be a part of so many outstanding services in such a short time. Having daily evening prayer and beautiful Sunday morning services filled with excellent music and liturgy only helped to solidify my desire to serve as a church musician. Singing in the chapel choir also gave me more experience as a church musician, but from a different view as a choir member than as the organist. I still remember the joy of being in the chapel choir hymn festivals that were crafted with beautifully chosen music.

I am also grateful that I was able to attend the LSM hymn festival with the National Lutheran Choir at Valparaiso in 2019. Being able to worship again with the LSM community was a highlight of that summer. While I was there, I got to see so many friends who were at LSM for the summer, or were there for the hymn festival.

This reflection only begins to show my gratitude towards LSM, and I am so thankful to be a part of this community!