The rigorous and wholesome orchestral conducting fellowship is designed to prepare a diligent and hard-working conducting student for a career in the professional and academic fields by:

• equipping a thorough and healthy approach to conducting technique (gaining clarity and expressiveness by releasing unnecessary tension)

• refining rehearsal techniques

• training in running all aspects of an orchestral program

• teaching how to teach conducting in a non-ideological, healthy, and sensible way

• instilling the importance of informed decision-making through thorough musicological research and score study

• placing a strong emphasis on positive and consistent leadership and responsibly engaged citizenship

• allowing orchestral conducting fellows to explore, unfold, and develop themselves in a nurturing and caring environment

Under the daily, caring tutelage and mentorship of internationally sought-after conducting pedagogue, Dr. Kevin Sütterlin, orchestral conducting fellows will:

Prior to the month at LSM, orchestral conducting fellows will have virtual consultation and planning meetings with Dr. Sütterlin. Fellows also receive access to Dr. Sütterlin’s online conducting technique video database for any further studies they may want to undertake prior to, during, or after their month at LSM.

Studying with Dr. Kevin Sütterlin as a conducting fellow at Lutheran Summer Music was the most transformative musical experience I have had. Dr. Sütterlin has worked hard to successfully create a role in which one can improve greatly through conducting lessons, consistent podium time in rehearsals and performances, studio classes, and conducting labs. He offers as many lessons as one can prepare for, and devotes all of his time and energy to his conducting fellows. All fellows who have the opportunity to work with Dr. Sütterlin will learn a large amount of diverse repertoire and styles, from classical works to modern compositions by living composers that use extended techniques. He is passionate about historically informed performance practice, and organizes an ensemble of all instrumental fellows including the conducting students to learn both how to perform and conduct classical repertoire.

Dr. Sütterlin is also dedicated to studying and programming diverse composers, and does all that he can to use his position as a conductor and educator to explore all musics and question the musical canon. There is an immeasurable amount of care and attention that Dr. Sütterlin dedicates to his work, and conducting fellows will learn exactly what it means to be prepared and thorough. This includes aspects of being a conductor that are not always focused on in a lesson such as how to run efficient rehearsals, how to manage an ensemble, and how to prepare parts for an ensemble. Dr. Sütterlin will connect his fellows with other faculty at Lutheran Summer Music for instrument lessons and Q & A sessions which is incredibly valuable.

In addition to these important aspects of the conducting fellowship, Dr. Sütterlin is a deeply caring person. As his student, one will receive an immense amount of kindness, patience, and open-mindedness. He is greatly generous with his resources, time, and knowledge. Dr. Sütterlin defines his legacy through the knowledge he shares, the relationships he creates, and the success and well-being of all his students. He is an exceptional conductor and a great pedagogue who it has been a privilege to study with. I cannot recommend Lutheran Summer Music as a conducting fellow with Dr. Sütterlin enough.

-- Jessica Jarosz (Minneapolis, MN), 2022 LSM Orchestral Conducting Fellow

My experience studying as the orchestral conducting fellow under Dr. Kevin Sütterlin at Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) was transformative and life-changing musically and personally. We had daily conducting opportunities on the podium with the Lutheran Summer Music Festival Orchestra, studied historically informed performance practice of the classical era on and off the podium, and had daily lessons and studio classes. I was privileged to study with Dr. Sütterlin, who shared his immense knowledge and wisdom generously, whether it was conducting technique, rehearsal technique, cultivating my artistic vision, or expanding my horizons as a person. I've been fortunate to study with Dr. Sütterlin over the years and I've come out of every interaction with him a better musician and a better person. Lutheran Summer Music has been a treasure trove of opportunities for teaching experiences with middle to high schoolers and learning different areas of music from the variety of faculty. It is truly a choose-your-own-adventure freestyle experience where you will have the freedom to explore and decide what you want to get out of the LSM experience.

-- Samuel Chen (Honolulu, HI), 2022 LSM Orchestral Conducting Fellow