HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

Lutheran Music Program was founded in 1981 to celebrate and extend the rich musical heritage of the Lutheran church. Our founders believed that by providing high-quality training and performance opportunities to young musicians they could cultivate a lifelong love of classical and sacred music, thus preserving these art forms for generations to come.

In 1982, “Sounds of Summer” (as the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival was initially called) was launched. Each summer since then students, faculty, staff, and conductors have gathered in intentional community to make and perform music and celebrate the Lutheran faith tradition. In the final Festival Week each summer, student performances serve as a fitting conclusion to this four-week immersion of accelerated learning and highlight inspiring progress to friends and family.

Lutheran Music Program also maintains a close relationship with Lutheran colleges across the country as host campuses for LSM and through our Collegiate Partnership. Augsburg College, Augustana College-Rock Island, Augustana College-Sioux Falls, Concordia College, Gustavus Adophus College, Luther College, Valparaiso University, St. Olaf College, and Wittenberg University have all served as the summer home for LSM. 

Since our founding, we have expanded our programming to reach musicians and music appreciators of all ages and faith traditions, but our work remains rooted in Lutheran music, worship, and liturgical traditions.