Lawrence University junior Ruby March-Torme grew up making music in the Lawrence Community Music School (LCMS). She spent 10 years singing with the Girl Choir before she graduated from high school and enrolled at Lawrence.
The experience familiarized her with Lawrence and its Conservatory of Music faculty, easing the transition from high school music programs to a collegiate setting.
“I had a great experience doing Girl Choir, so I figured if the Conservatory was anything like LCMS, I would really thrive there,” March-Torme said. “I was right.”
She is not alone. As Lawrence’s Conservatory of Music and the LCMS each mark their 150th anniversary during the 2024-25 academic year, no fewer than seven current Lawrence students have their musical roots in the LCMS, according to Mary Van De Loo ’89, director of the LCMS.
Ruby March-Torme grew up singing with LCMS's Girl Choir. She's now a junior studying in the Conservatory of Music. (Photo by Jacob Hanekamp '25)
The Lawrence Community Music School—previously known as the Arts Academy and then the Lawrence Academy of Music before assuming its current name in 2020—serves the greater Fox Valley community as a music school and resource. It blends musical traditions across generations, with approximately 900 students of all ages taking private lessons, performing in ensembles, and presenting more than 40 public concerts annually.
Those experiences have often led young musicians such as March-Torme to Lawrence, drawn to its Conservatory of Music and its myriad of possibilities. Over its 150 years, the LCMS has seen many of its students go from youth musicians to accomplished Conservatory students.
Lawrence junior Aimee Patch grew up playing horn in the Lawrence Community Music School’s Symphonic Band and later its Wind Ensemble. Now, she’s majoring in music education and music performance at Lawrence.
“I played in the ensembles with a few other close friends from my school and I looked forward to rehearsal every week,” Patch said. “It was a wonderful experience to play at a high level that challenged me to improve as a musician not only technically but also work in a fast-paced learning ensemble environment.”
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As a Lawrence student, Patch continues to be involved with LCMS. She returned to the school this year as the manager of the Symphonic Band.
“Working with Mary Van De Loo and Caitlynn Acy (Symphonic Band teacher-conductor and 2015 Lawrence graduate) has been a wonderful learning opportunity in group management, rehearsal technique, and student relationship building,” Patch said.
Lawrence’s Conservatory and the Lawrence Community Music School continue to have a synergistic relationship, with faculty and students working together across the programs to cultivate a strong and passionate environment for anyone looking to learn music. With offerings that include early childhood classes, music for people with disabilities, lessons on all instruments, summer programs, and youth ensembles that include six girl choirs, two bands, and a string orchestra, the school nurtures a diverse community of young musicians.
Serving as a pipeline to Lawrence’s Conservatory of Music is another benefit that keeps the programs tightly aligned.
“Through the Community Music School, Lawrence is able to reach students of all ages and abilities and to share the gift of music widely in the community,” Van De Loo said.
