News & Announcements
Spring 2019 Commencement Program
Gift to LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts Positions LSU as National Leader in Music Therapy
LSU alumni Ava Leavell Haymon and Cordell Haymon of Baton Rouge have made a $1.2 million gift to the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts to fund an endowed chair in music therapy, making LSU a leader in creating such a position. The Haymons’ gift, which will be eligible for $800,000 in competitive matching funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents, will establish the first music therapy program at a public university in Louisiana.
Director of Bands Emeritus Frank Wickes to Receive Honorary Doctorate
The LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts and LSU Department of Bands are pleased to announce that Frank B. Wickes, director of bands emeritus, will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at the university's spring 2019 commencement exercises, taking place Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11.
LSU Wind Ensemble to Perform World Premiere of “Songs From A Silent Land” at National Conference
The LSU Wind Ensemble has been chosen from among dozens of other peer collegiate ensembles to perform at the College Band Directors National Association, or CBDNA, National Convention, to be hosted at Arizona State University Feb. 20-23.
Announcing the Prism Project in Music Education
The Prism Project is a performing arts program for Baton Rouge-area students age 6-14 with special needs, providing opportunities to learn appropriate social and performing arts skills and directly engage with their peers.
National Opera Association Recognizes LSU Productions
Two recent opera productions at the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at LSU have received high honors from the National Opera Association, or NOA, as they announced the winners of the annual NOA Collegiate Opera Production Competition this week.
CMDA Insider 5.2 - "The Music Ambassadors"
The Office of Recruitment & Diversity is pleased to introduce the Music Ambassadors program...
John Turner and Jerry Fischer's Gift to LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts is Largest in College's History
John Turner and Jerry Fischer have made a historic gift to strengthen the vitality of the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts' renowned opera program and on-campus recital hall. LSU Opera, established in 1931 as one of the country's first major opera programs at a university, is now one of only a handful of named university opera programs. Turner and Fischer's $4 million investment, the largest gift in the college's history, creates the John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer Center for Opera at LSU and will enable the renovation of the LSU School of Music Recital Hall--including the addition of the Paula G. Manship Concert Organ--to create a world-class facility for educating high-level artists who have a global impact.
Announcing Fall 2018 Choral Hearings
The Choral Studies division of the School of Music has announced information about choral hearings for Fall 2018.
Operafestival di Roma Accepting 2019 Auditions
Operafestival di Roma, a unique study abroad experience created in collaboration with other collegiate opera programs in the United States, is now accepting auditions for the 2019 Season!
Summer Events at the CMDA
The College of Music & Dramatic Arts is excited to present two incredible productions during June 2018: "Always... Patsy Cline" and "Hot Summer Nights, Cool Jazz"!
CMDA Insider 4.8 - "Natural Shocks"
Join the School of Theatre for a special event, plus meet the School of Music students headed to Europe this summer for a special opportunity!
Prof. Herndon Spillman to Retire After 41 Years
After 41 years, one of the University’s longest tenured music professors will be retiring.
CMDA Insider 4.7 - "She's Back!"
The incredible "Always...Patsy Cline" returns to Baton Rouge, and a School of Music composition student is recognized nationally for her work.
CMDA Insider 4.6 - "Arcadia Appetizers"
Swine Palace invites you to experience a unique pre-show lecture series.
LSU Opera Student Wins National Prize, Program Sweeps Competition
The LSU Opera program won numerous accolades in multiple national competitions in January.
CMDA Insider 4.5 - "The Spring Guide"
Announcing our performances for the New Year; come discover them in the Spring!
LSU Opera Receives Scholarship Gift from Baton Rouge Opera Guild
The Baton Rouge Opera Guild has presented a $30,000 gift for the ongoing support of student scholarships within the LSU Opera program, the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts announced.
New CMDA Websites Launched
We have been working hard over the summer to streamline and overhaul our web presence. Our new sites are faster and better organized, so it's easier than ever to find the information you are looking for. From admissions information to upcoming events, our new websites have you covered! Here are a few highlights of the overhaul:
Mara Gibson Joins the LSU School of Music
We're pleased to welcome Dr. Mara Gibson to the LSU Music family as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Composition! Dr. Gibson is originally from Charlottesville, VA, graduated from Bennington College, and completed her Ph.D. at SUNY Buffalo. She has received grants and honors from such distinguished entities as the American Composer's Forum, the Banff Center, the National Endowment for the Arts, the International Bass Society, ASCAP, and Yale University. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Gibson to LSU!