Graduate Wind Conducting at LSU

Live round auditions begin early spring upon invitation. Pre-screening auditions are accepted continuously, with recommended submission timeline fall - early spring.

Pre-Screening

• Pre-screening materials should be submitted via your myLSU application portal.
• Video of 15 - 20 minutes in length featuring rehearsal and performance.
• A statement of interest and goals.
• Curriculum Vitae.

Live Audition

• By invitation only.
• Conduct LSU Wind Ensemble on repertoire selected by band faculty. Repertoire selections will be communicated in advance.
• An interview with the conducting faculty

 

Wind Conducting Entry Requirements

 LSU SCHOOL OF MUSIC - GRADUATE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

The graduate program in wind conducting at LSU seeks to ensure a diverse range of experiences for students. Through focused study aimed to develop students as artists, this program seeks to refine knowledge of the score, ear training, practical conducting, and knowledge of wind repertiore. 

Conducting Studio Class

• Graduate wind conducting students participate in a twice-weekly studio class that includes discussion on art and it's role in our lives and the world.

Conducting Practiucum

• Graduate wind conducting students participate in a weekly conducting practicum under the instruction of conducting faculty members in the wind, orchestra, and choral conducting programs. This unique opportunity provides conductors the opportunity to recieve feedback from their faculty and colleagues in a real-time, workshop style environment.
• Throughout the year, graduate students in the orchestral and choral programs may join as participants.
• Practicum Repertoire 2025 - 2026
  •  W.A. Mozart - The Magic Flute, Vol. 1
  • Gioachino Rossini/Sedlak - L’Italiana in Algeri
  • Gordon Jacob - Old Wine in New Bottles
  • Emile Bernard - Divertissement
  • Richard Strauss - Suite for Winds, Op. 4
  • Gerald Finzi - Let Us Garlands Bring

Teaching Assistantship Benefits

• Full Tuition Coverage
• Nationally Competitive Stipend

Students in the graduate wind conducting program serve as guest conductors in each of the concert ensembles in the LSU Department of Bands. Through this, students work with ensemble conductors to refine their rehearsal and conducting techniques.

As members of the LSU Music Community, graduate wind conducting students may also be asked to conduct various chamber and large ensembles within the LSU School of Music and in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Use the links below to learn more about concert ensembles at LSU.

Learn more about concert ensembles at LSU

LSU BANDS REPERTOIRE DATABASE (EXTERNAL LINK)

Graudate wind conducting students work with The Golden Band from Tigerland and Bengal Brass in every aspect of teaching and administration as Teaching Assistants. The goal of the program is to ensure that students graduate with a thorough understanding of each aspect of developing, administrating, and teaching athletic and pep bands. Graduate wind students are occasionally asked to chart drill and/or arrange music for athletic bands. 

Use the link below to learn more about Athletic Bands at LSU

Explore Athletic Bands at LSU

Graduate conducting students may serve as a teaching assistant for undergraduate conducting classes held at Louisiana State University. With the guidance of the primary professor of undergraduate conducting, graduate conducting students interact with the undergraduate conducting course and gain first hand experience teaching the art of conducting.