Orchestral Studies
Experience artistic excellence.
The LSU Orchestral Studies area provides a robust, fulfilling musical experience for students and the community. Audiences enjoy exciting and creative programming, while students have to opportunity to collaborate with artists, composers, and LSU’s world-renowned faculty.
We offer a variety of opportunities for music majors and talented non-majors to study ensemble performance skills through a wide range of repertoire, and we serve as a resource for the greater orchestral and educational community of Louisiana. The LSU Symphony Orchestra, the program’s flagship ensemble, is recognized as one of the premiere college orchestras in the Southeast for its innovation, commitment to diversity, and collaboration.
Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate students enrolling at LSU can audition to participate in any of the major orchestral ensembles, including:
- LSU Symphony Orchestra (MUS 4261) - audition required
- LSU University Orchestra - starting Winter 2023, no audition required
- LSU Virtuosi - audition required
Ensemble participation is a key requirement of LSU School of Music undergraduate degree programs. However, the ensembles are open to all degree majors across LSU. Click below for audition information, or to find out more about applying to be a student in the LSU School of Music.
Graduate Studies
In addition to the ensemble participation offered at all levels, LSU offers prospective graduate students both MM (Master of Music) and DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) programs in orchestral conducting. Our program provides an elite, comprehensive experience for graduate conducting students, including:
- Working with multiple concert and chamber ensembles, plus all aspects of administering a modern orchestral program.
- Weekly conducting practicum sessions with top chamber performers.
- Limited studio size to ensure maximum podium time.
- Regular integration and interaction between orchestral and wind conducting studios, to promote cross-polination of ideas and best practices.
- Full tuition plus stipend.
The Conductor's Art
The LSU School of Music and LSU Department of Bands offer a combined conducting symposium annually. The Conductor's Art is two-day conducting and teaching workshop for orchestra and band directors. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct the LSU Symphony Orchestra, LSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Chamber Winds on selected repertoire with direct feedback and coaching from LSU faculty and special guests.
School Visits
We want to be a leading resource and advocate for orchestral teaching and school programs across the Southeast, and welcome the opportunity to interact, coach and collaborate with teachers, students, and orchestra programs.
If you would like to have Professor Scott Terrell and/or members of the string faculty potentially visit your school or bring your students/ensembles to the LSU campus, please contact our Office of Student Success.
Complimentary Tickets
We are pleased to offer complimentary tickets to any of our concerts for high school students and their orchestra directors! Students and directors wanting a single ticket can use the form under the "Upcoming Performances" tab on this page. If a director would like to request a larger quantity of tickets for their program, such as for an entire group, please contact Professor Scott Terrell at sterrell@lsu.edu.
Complimentary Tickets
We are pleased to offer complimentary tickets to any of our concerts for high school students and their orchestra directors! Students and directors may use the form below to request a single ticket. If a director would like to request a larger quantity of tickets for their program, such as for an entire group, please contact Professor Scott Terrell at sterrell@lsu.edu.
Orchestra News
We are excited to welcome award-winning new music ensemble Eighth Blackbird to LSU for a special concert, featuring composer Viet Cuong’s Vital Signs, among other works.
We are pleased to welcome David Saccardi as the new Assistant Professor of Music Education, beginning August 2022.
We are pleased to welcome Molly Redfield as the new Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, beginning August 2022.