Ellis Em

A story: Many of you have seen the name list that has accumulated on the white board next to Kat in the main office.  Here’s how the list came into being.  During the first week of LSM, Kat went to the Gustavus post office to claim LSM mail.

K: Do you have any mail for LSM?
Worker: Who?
K: LSM
W: Just a minute, let me check.
[time passes]
W: I’m sorry, what was the last name?  Ellis who?

And so “Ellis Em” (LSM) was born.  After Ellis, his wife Alice Em came into being.  And then a whole family of derivations sprouted.

Ellis Em
Alice Em
Ellie Sem
Alley Sem
Al Lessem
Elle Lessem
Al ‘Esim
Alles Am
A Less M = Pi
Eh? Les Som!
Uh… Less than? (I know, we started drifting)

by Jacob, horn student
Photo grab bag

This summer marks my third summer spent at Lutheran Summer Music and
Lutheran Summer Music’s 25th year. I have attended one year at Luther
College and two here at Gustavus Adolphus College. When you spend a month
with people who are all passionate about music you know that the friendships
will be great. I have not only bonded with other students, but I have come
to know and love the faculty and staff also.

While at LSM, I have been involved in band, orchestra, chapel choir,
musicianship classes, brass quintets, woodwind quintets, and horn ensembles
on top of performing as a soloist both on horn and piano. I have improved
my talents and had the time of my life doing so. A special connection forms
between all of those who are affiliated with LSM. I have made lifetime
friends here. I wish it did not have to end.

The recitals both by the faculty and the students are exceptional. It is
great to observe the skills of those who are instructing you, and it expands
your appreciation of all genres of music. Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer,
and Sunday worship are all music based and help us to draw closer with our
Lord.

Lutheran Summer Music allows high school students to enjoy what they love
the most: music and they have fun while doing so. While I have been here,
we have had toga parties, practiced, had dances, played cards, played
Ultimate Frisbee, attended recitals, and made great friends. Lutheran
Summer Music is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Come to Collegium Musicum!

by Brian, age 17
Hodge podge of photos

It’s probably quite impossible to describe the scope of events that have taken place in my four years at LSM. The friends, teachers, chaplains, staff, recitals, ensembles, services, mandatory social activities, dorm dance parties and raves, mischief… Well, as I said, it’s quite impossible to describe, but because of all these things and more, LSM has become a great part of my life. It’s really quite easy to become nostalgic as this month is quite suddenly coming to an end.

As some of you (or more likely none of you) may know by my long-winded journal entries, I was part of the Bringing Worship Home Program this past year. The BWH program gave me some new opportunities to be involved in the music program at my home church, and it has made me a more experienced, if not better, church musician.

As for the current goings-on, this day, the third to the last, is whizzing by in a flurry of recitals. Of special note is the Collegium Musicum concert—that’s right, concert—tomorrow at 10:00AM. ‘Twill be a sweet concert and each and every student, faculty member, staff person, and random passer-by should attend. How else is one to get their necessary fix of krumhorns, shawms, recorders, viols, sackbuts, and the like? This year Andrew Whitfield and his gorgeous voice will be joining us. I look forward to it very much.

Well ODJ, I best be off to cherish these last days of the month. I send all my love to the many people that make LSM a wonderful place to be; I hope you know who you are.

Practice, practice, practice

by Josh, LSM trumpet student, age ??
Jazz band photos

During my stay at LSM, I have experienced a variety of activities such as Band, Orchestra and Small Ensemble. These are just a few memories that I will take from LSM. But most of all, I will remember how Lutheran Summer Music Academy allowed me to progress in ways that I couldn’t at home. When I practice at home, a lot of thoughts run through my head pertaining to a stressful day at school or to an upcoming test that I need to study for. Here, my mind is often more calm than it is at home. This is because of all the worship we do during the day and also the fact that it is technically summer vacation. In turn, a peaceful state of mind eliminates distractions that occur during my hectic school schedule. Overall, the atmoshphere at LSM causes me to improve my musical skills a lot more than if I were at home.

Beginning the End

by Danya, 2007 LSM voice student, age 18
Bach Cantata and Team Building photos

It simply hard for me to believe that we are entering into our fourth and final week here at Lutheran Summer Music. To think of what I am leaving behind…great new friends, amazing teachers and faculty, and the melodic harmony of music playing everywhere you go. Even though I will be leaving these things behind, I will actually be able to bring home great memories and everything I have learned to become a better musician!

As everyone prepares for Festival Week, most lock themselves into practice rooms, while others have panic attacks and run to Sue Olstad so she can either calm us down or take us to the friendly staff at the hospital (which she has taken numerous students to this summer) who know her face and name perfectly. But in all reality, we have all practiced very hard to make the performances perfect!

Speaking of a perfect performance, I had the privilege to sing in the Bach Cantata this past Sunday with other talented students and faculty in the morning worship service. Dr. Hightower (who conducted us), the orchestra and choir all became one and pulled off a spectacular performance. The text of the piece has such a spiritual and powerful effect: “Christ Lag in Todesbanden” which means “Christ lay in the bonds of death.” This piece was written for Easter, and Bach starts off in the minor key, which is ironic because we should be celebrating the return of our risen King. Death and the sound of an eerie minor key comes in the song numerous times, but Bach brings us hope and places “Hallelujah” at the end of each movement.

I am very blessed to be able to spend my summer here at LSM! This is the place that I have called my home for the past three summers. I don’t know what I would do without LSM. I hope to make this last week the best week ever and hopefully time won’t fly by too quickly!