Without Walls | Lutheran Summer Music Ignites Worship and Musicianship at Valpo
Picture this: morning prayer in the Chapel of the Resurrection, the sheen of fine-tuned instruments lining the stage of the Duesenberg Recital Hall, a warm breeze winding through all corners of our campus – carrying sparkling chords and melodies. This is a bird’s eye view of Lutheran Summer Music at Valparaiso University – a premier summer music camp that has brought joy, community, and faith into the hearts of young musicians across the country for more than 40 years. And despite how vibrant this annual gathering may look on the outside, a deeper, enduring connection shines even brighter within.
Born in the early 1980s from a bright collective of music educators and church musicians, Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) began as it stands today: as a program without walls. LSM welcomes approximately 170 students in grades eight to twelve each year. All come from different economic, musical, and religious backgrounds. All radiate a love for music that runs so deep, they would immerse themselves in it every day for an entire month. Once on campus, the students find themselves faced with the opportunity to learn, live, and perform alongside some of the most talented professionals in the country – regardless of their skill level, instrument of choice, or journey with faith.
“Lutheran Summer Music is a very supportive environment,” says Valparaiso University Professor of Music and Director of Music Education and Bands Jeff Doebler M.M. ’87, Ph.D. Professor Doebler has served at Valpo for 33 years and counting, and has played an increasingly involved role in LSM since he was invited to lead in the program in 1994. “Some of our students will come to us when they’re younger. Some of them will come to us with less experience, while others will have a stronger background. Each of those students is met where they are and are supported as they develop their musical abilities. It’s not a competitive atmosphere… It’s a supportive, positive atmosphere that challenges everybody to learn and do their best.”
It’s a sentiment that rings true with Valparaiso University Professor of Music Stacy Maugans, D.Mus., who has lent her light to LSM as a studio saxophone instructor since 2017. While LSM does see students who are on a clear path toward musicianship and have many years of experience, Stacy personally enjoys watching those who are just getting their feet wet build up the courage to shine. “I would say many of the students coming in probably have not had any instruction from somebody who really specializes and is a professional on their instrument. We invite them in and get to witness their growth over a whole month of dedication, practice, and guidance. It’s extraordinary. It really empowers them,” she says. “What the students all have in common is that they all want to be involved in music every day, and that they want to be part of a community. I can’t imagine a kid who doesn’t want to be a part of a community – a real community. Some of them may have never experienced a community like this.”
Though the original philosophy was to host LSM on a different Lutheran campus each summer, the program has enjoyed a home here at Valpo since 2017. One of the reasons why Valpo is such a unique location for LSM is that it is the only independent Lutheran school. Whereas other Lutheran institutions are affiliated with various synods, Valpo is independent and pan-Lutheran in step with Lutheran Summer Music. “I think if you went through the denominations of all the students that are here, a lot of them are Lutheran of one synod or another. But not everybody is, and the same goes for faculty members,” Professor Doebler explains. “It’s good. It helps with diversity in the different ways of thinking and learning and showing respect when we’re all learning about each other’s traditions.”
While Lutheran Summer Music stands true to its open door values, faith is still very much a focal point in the summer camp’s purpose and daily activities. Each day begins and ends with prayer in the nation’s largest collegiate chapel, with large worship services held on Sunday mornings. Pastors and counselors are available to answer any questions students may have about the church and the role that music plays in worship. “Music and faith are inextricably linked at LSM. When we worship and attend morning and evening prayer, music plays a part in all of that. And the students get an introduction into the variety of ways music allows for worship. It gives people a way to worship God in so many different ways,” Professor Maugans shares. For Professor Maugans, LSM nurtured her love for being a saxophonist while affirming her true identity as a child of God. “Where else do you get the opportunity to sit together in a community like that, and begin and end each day together in prayer with such a big group of people?”
When not gathered in worship or prayer, students are honing in on their musical skills as a team and as individuals. LSM faculty come from all over the country to deliver professional guidance and instruction for every student. Whether they dream of being a percussionist, writing their own music, or mastering every stringed instrument, they will find nurturing minds at LSM to help them achieve their goals. Each student follows a unique, rotating schedule tailored to their specific interests and needs; no two days are the same. Topics include band, choir, church music, handbells, music composition, music education, music therapy, jazz ensemble, orchestra, and so much more.
It’s very much a snapshot of the college experience, complete with classes, a month living in Valpo’s residence halls, shared meals at Founder’s Table, and the support of highly trained counselors. “LSM does a great job of training the counselors, as well as getting the right kind of people to help foster the students’ growth throughout this experience. They help them find places on campus and how to figure out life away from home. The students get lots of help navigating their time at LSM, then they begin navigating the experience themselves,” Professor Maugans says.
Along with personalized instruction, students also participate in over 50 large performances in the Chapel of the Resurrection, the Duesenberg Recital Hall, and University Theatre. Each of these moving performances is open to the community. “We hope that the community will come [to these performances]. Lutheran Summer Music performances are the kind where you think, ‘Oh, this might be interesting,’ only to come out saying, ‘Holy cow, that was remarkable. I need to go to the next one,’” Professor Doebler says. “Most of the performances are also available on livestream, so there are people all over the country – even all over the world – watching these recitals and concerts and worship services, because they know that what happens here is really high level. It’s an exciting opportunity.”
This year’s Lutheran Summer Music camp will take place at Valparaiso University from June 22 – July 20. For those considering applying to next year’s program, Professors Doebler and Maugans have some words of advice:
“There are lots of really good summer music camps around the country. There are very few that focus on a high level of music and music teaching like LSM,” Professor Doebler says. His favorite LSM memory? The year that his two sons joined him as student-attendees. “LSM has always been strong… It’s a great program and it gets greater every year. You have to go.” Professor Maugans adds, “If you’re thinking of attending LSM, it’s an extraordinary opportunity. There’s nothing like it anywhere else. You really have no idea how good this is going to be.”
More information about housing, different areas of interest, the application process, livestreaming, and this year’s performances can be found on the Lutheran Summer Music website.
