My name is Daniel, and this summer I'll attend Lutheran Summer Music as a student for the last time.

I began taking a serious approach to music relatively late - only in eighth or ninth grade did I realise what I had been missing until then. I began playing from Debussy’s Children's Corner, which felt like the first “real” repertoire I had played on piano (in retrospect, of course, this is entirely false!). That same year, I got permission from my cello teacher, Pat White, to begin studying Elgar’s cello concerto, which was an even larger stretch for my technical and musical ability. From there, the cycle of study, practice, and performance ensnared me. I had the privilege to play in the Indiana All-State Orchestra, which was my first taste of true symphonic playing, and spurred my search for another opportunity to play in a proper orchestra - leading me to LSM! Of course, it ended up being far more than just another orchestra - I learned this distinctly after my first summer, and will learn more the summer to come! Since then, the pace of my studies have only increased, in large part making up for lost time. I joined the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, performing with their Prima quartet and this year becoming their principal cellist. I’ve competed in piano competitions like MTNA and the Goshen International Violin and Piano Competition, where I was a finalist. And, more importantly, I’ve played so much beautiful music!

My time at LSM is something I treasure. During the school year, I have responsibilities to school and to various extracurriculars, which often get in the way of what I am trying to achieve musically. At LSM, I am surrounded by nothing but music, and by peers who are similarly looking for an opportunity to be immersed into their music. There is no better environment for learning and progression on your instruments. Likewise, it is a place where my personal faith thrives in worship, discussion, and day-to-day life. This year, I plan to compete in the Concerto Competition, play in the orchestra, perform in a number of recitals, learn to play organ, and catch up with old friends from years past. Thank you so much for all your support!

Note from LSM: LSM offers up to $500 as a 50% match toward student fundraising. That is, if Daniel raises $1,000 by May 15, he'll be eligible for the maximum $500 match. Online contributions through this page, or checks mailed in Daniel's name, are eligible for matching. Please note: Givebutter automatically adds an online credit card processing fee and a "tip" for Givebutter. You can opt out of either or both, without reducing your contribution toward Daniel's goal. To mail a check (and avoid online processing fees altogether), make the check out to "Lutheran Summer Music," with Daniel's name in the memo line. Mail checks to LSM, PO Box 8687, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Thank you for supporting Daniel!

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM) is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. In addition to advanced musical instruction and numerous performance opportunities, LSM students form an intentional community, living together for four weeks on a Lutheran college campus. Since 1981, this unique and immersive program has guided the lives of young musicians who credit LSM as the starting place for their future careers and vocations.

LSM was founded 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.

Daniel G.E. LSM 2025 Tuition

By Lutheran Summer Music

Daniel G.E. LSM 2025 Tuition

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