CMDA @ LSU

LSU School of Music Social Media--IT'S BIG

2012-03-02T12:55:00.001-08:00

LSU Low Brass Day!!!

2012-03-02T10:46:00.002-08:00

Christopher O'Riley post concert reception in Dallas

2012-03-02T08:02:00.001-08:00

Some art from A+ Schools in Oklahoma City

2012-03-02T07:57:00.002-08:00

Visit to A+ Schools in Oklahoma

2012-03-02T07:54:00.002-08:00

On February 26-28 I led an exploratorytrip to review the A+ Schools program that is based in Oklahoma City. The visitingteam consisted of: LSU (Bartolome-Kaptain—CMDA/Dowell-Jolly—CoE), the BatonRouge Academic Distinction Fund (ED Dr. Martis Jones) and the George RodrigueFoundation for Arts Education (ED J. Rodrigue and Robinson). For this documentthose three organizations will be called the A+ Creative Consortium.

We met with leaders of the A+ Schools, University of Central Oklahoma, CreativeOklahoma, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, the OklahomaCity Ballet, and principals/headmasters of various schools. We also visitedseveral elementary schools, academies and charter schools. We observed childrenachieving, creating, succeeding and learning through the unique A+ Schools artsintegration model.

Rufus Reid at Manship Theatre with LSU Jazz

2012-03-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Jazz great Rufus Reid with LSU Jazz

2012-02-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/LSU-Music---Dramatic-Arts-Event.html?soid=1102712869435&aid=bVv3-wNWaLk

LSU Tiger Marching Band to Take Part in 2012 Rex, King of Carnival Mardi Gras Parade

2012-02-20T12:07:00.001-08:00

LSU Tiger Marching Band to Take Part in 2012 Rex, King of Carnival Mardi Gras Parade

LSU School of Music Names John Dickson as New Director of Choral Studies

2012-02-20T11:56:00.001-08:00

LSU School of Music Names John Dickson as New Director of Choral Studies

Dr. John Dickson

Dunham named an Apple Distinguished School

2012-02-14T12:29:00.001-08:00

Dunham named an Apple Distinguished School

In recognition of its "1 to 1" MacBook program—by which all students in second through 12th grades and all teachers have a laptop—Dunham School has been named an Apple Distinguished School for 2011-12. Dunham is one of 56 schools across the country selected as an Apple Distinguished School this year. Since the implementation of the school's 1 to 1 MacBook program in 2009, there has been a shift in the way teaching and learning occur at Dunham, says Headmaster Bobby Welch. Using MacBook software and unlimited Internet resources, teachers have revised lesson plans to meet the needs of "digital natives." Students now create and submit projects in a variety of formats, including podcasts, iMovies and newsletters. Laptops travel home with students, middle school and up. The school says it has also completely rebuilt its wireless system to support teaching and learning, adding a guest network for parents and visitors. During the school year, weekly technology development opportunities and monthly newsletters provide teachers with current technology information and a support system. The school has also established partnerships with LSU to exchange knowledge and professional development opportunities, including an annual three-day Summer Technology Institute for Dunham faculty. Dunham is an independent, college preparatory Christian School, serving pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

From Baton Rouge AM Report

ttp://businessreport.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=daily-reportAM&date=20120214

Attended Leadership for Change! The 2012 Louisiana Education Summit

2012-02-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.leadershipforchangesummit.org/

Heard Tony Bennett from Indiana, former Gov. Jeb Bush, Dr. Howard Fuller, Gov. Bobby Jindal and others.

Highly infomrtive, honored to be there, determined to make a difference in my position as citizen, educator and Dean.

MIT Center for Civic Media

2012-02-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

http://civic.mit.edu/

John Thiessen: baroque trumpeter/entreprenuer @ LSU this week

2012-02-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

From Professor BrianShaw: We're proud to host John Thiessen here this week as a joint guest of thePellar Entrepreneurship program and the trumpet studios.

John is one of the mostactive Baroque musicians in the world, as the "top call" earlytrumpeter in North America, and is on the faculty of the Julliard School, theAmerican Bach Soloists Academy, and serves as the hiring agent/personnelmanager for all instrumentalists at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York. (I've attached his impressive bio to this email.)

He is giving amasterclass on Friday morning (Feb. 17) in the Recital Hall from 9:30 to 11am. If you have students (on period or modern instruments) who would like tobe coached on an historically informed approach to a Baroque piece they'repreparing by him, please let me know and we'll do our best to make sure theyhave an opportunity to play for him.

John will be activelyleading sessions with the Pellar Entrepreneurship program headed headed by JoeSkillen. The times for those are Friday afternoon, from 4:30-8:30, andSaturday morning from 8:30-11:00a.m. Details on each of those sessionswill be forthcoming.

Finally, he will be giving a solo recital, which will be on Saturdaynight (Feb. 18) at 7:30, also in the RH.

John Thiessen

Katherine Kemler has been invited the 5th Annual International Flute Conference in Quito

2012-02-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

Prof. Katherine Kemler has been invited to be a featured artist at the 5th Annual International Flute Conference--"at the center of the world." It will be held in Quito, Ecuador June 2-9, 2012.

LSU Concert Spectacular

2012-02-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/--Concert-Spectacular----LSU-Musical-Extravaganza-TOMORROW-.html?soid=1102712869435&aid=3DKZ7qbGM2U

BRCC students get engaged in LSU’s Shaver Theatre after a production of 'Pride and Prejudice' - News - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University

2012-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

BRCC students get engaged in LSU’s Shaver Theatre after a production of 'Pride and Prejudice' - News - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University

More on Swine Palace Pride and Prejudice

2012-02-05T12:50:00.001-08:00

http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/1897855-129/pride-and-prejudice-should-delight.html

LSU School of Music Concert Spectacular

2012-02-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.music.lsu.edu/News/spectacular.html

LSU on the air and the Internet

2012-02-05T12:44:00.001-08:00

LSU Opera presents La Cenerentola

2012-02-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

LSU Opera presents La Cenerentola

Christopher O'Riley will perform Piano Concerto No. 5 (the Emperor) by Ludwig van Beethoven with the LSU Symphony Orchestra

2012-02-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Christopher-O-Riley-Performs-with-LSU-Symphony-Orchestra-in-Baton-Rouge.html?soid=1102712869435&aid=krIlWxUk8PA

Swine Palace--Pride and Prejudice

2012-02-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

Cast members of Swine Palace Pride and Prejudice

Photo credit: Libby Isenhower

Twos for the show | Art | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Performance Today featuring LSU's Donald McKinney conducting the Dallas Wind Symphony

2012-02-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Performance Today featuring LSU's Donald McKinney conducting the Dallas Wind Symphony http://bit.ly/yRKQIO via @addthis

LSU Foundation Reception at the BCS

2012-01-27T14:05:00.001-08:00

Houston Haymon and the Kaptain's

LSU CMDA BCS Reception Jan. 8th, 2012

2012-01-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

LSU Alum Charlene Farve and
Dolores Arce-Kaptain

Staffer Miriam Overton, LSU Alum and reception host Juli Miller Hart (Projects with Purpose),
Larry Kaptain, and Jennifer Magee (Keating Magee Marketing Communication)

Our rooftop view from the 5th floor balcony of Jax Brewery

With Dean Eli Jones of the famed Ourso College of Business at LSU

A visit to our reception by a part of the Tiger Band and Golden Girls.
It rocked the balcony!

LK flanked by Tiger Band faculty members Eric Melley and Roy King

LK, Theatre Chair Kristin Sosnowsky, Theatre faculty member James Murphy, and
Swine Palace Board member Suzanne Horton and her husband James

Faculty, family and friends of LSU!!!

Bill Conti ('63), Steve Covington, Prof. James Byo and Alex Byo

Important!!!!

On the field of the MB Superdome

2012-01-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

BCS Championship Game Halftime meeting of Larry Kaptain (Dean, LSU) and

Skip Snead (Director of the University of Alabama School of Music)

Bill Conti ('63), Steve Covington, Shelby Conti ('63),
Dolores Arce-Kaptain, Dean Larry Kaptain

True words that artists/creatives live by

2012-01-27T13:38:00.001-08:00

Pensacola--LSU Alumni Chapter CMDA Reception

2012-01-27T13:37:00.000-08:00

LSU Alumni gathering at a reception prior to a Pensacola Opera performance of Puccini's Mademe Butterfly.
January 22, 2012

LSU School of Music Faculty Woodwind Quintet

2012-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Robert DiLutis, Katherine Kemler, Seth Orgel,
Johanna Cox, Gabriel Beavers. September, 2011.

Louisiana Philharmonic post-concert reception Jan. 25, 2012. l. to r. Babs Mollere

2012-01-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

Charlotte Bollinger (Board of Regents), Babs Mollere (LPO),

Robert Levy (Louisiana Board of Regents) and Larry Kaptain (LSU)

Scott Eric Olivier bridges two worlds

2012-01-26T12:28:00.000-08:00

Portrait of an Artist, as a Businessman

http://digbatonrouge.com/article/portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-businessman-4310/

Scott Eric Olivier

Photo: Tim Mueller

Robyn Lamp, wins third place in the Gulf Coast Region Met Auditions

2012-01-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

Ms. Lamp is a student of Patricia O'Neill's in the LSU School of Music.

CMDA BCS Reception in New Orleans 010812

2012-01-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

Swine Palace Board members Suzanne and Jim Horton (far left and right) ,
With LSU School of Music director Willis Delony and
Academy Award winning composer Bill Conti ('63)

Photo Credit: Jacquelyn Craddock

TV Series shoots in front of M&DA Building 1/11/12

2012-01-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

http://www.wafb.com/story/15470904/breakout-kings-moves-to-baton-rouge

(Note the sign!!!)

It looked like they had about 50 students as extras walking around.

LSU: a Top-Ten destination for tuba/euphonium study

2012-01-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

LSU istied for 8th place with the Eastman School of Music and Juilliard School in asurvey by a University of Arizona graduate student that ranks the top 10tuba/euphonium studios in the country for graduate studies. The surveywas sent to all the teachers at institutions in the United States where agraduate degree is offered in tuba and/or euphonium.

The tuba/euphonium professor at LSU is JosephSkillen.

The survey was undertaken by Suke Nakata and isdated 2011.

Congratulations Prof. Skillen.

International Clarinet Association Exec. Comm. visits LSU

2012-01-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Intertnational Clarinet Association will be staging their ClarinetFest® 2014 in Baton Rouge at LSU. The festival host will be Prof. Robert DiLutis.

As Dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, I can assure all attendees that they will enjoy their visit and; a) Want to stay longer, and/or b) Plan a trip back.

International Clarinet Association Executive Committee, with Robert DiLutis (far left)

NYT Review: Lisette Oropesa (LSU, '06) at The MET

2012-01-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

"The lyric soprano Lisette Oropesa brought a gleaming voice and beguiling grace to Miranda."

Bravo Lisette!!!

New York Times Review, January 1, 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/arts/music/the-enchanted-island-at-the-metropolitan-opera-review.html?pagewanted=all

Lisette Oropesa, left, as Miranda and Anthony Roth Costanzo as Ferdinand.

Credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Explaining Music Education's Impact on the Brain: A New Monthly Series from Music Empowers Foundation

2011-12-29T06:23:00.000-08:00

Explaining Music Education's Impact on the Brain: A New Monthly Series from Music Empowers Foundation

Happy Holiday's from the CMDA at LSU!!!

2011-12-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

Piano recital culminating dissertation research of online piano lessons

2011-12-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

From the Studio of Rebecca Bellelo

I invite you to a piano recital culminating my dissertation research of online piano lessons on Saturday, December 17th, at 2:00 in the LSU School of Music, Room 115. This recital will feature traditional face-to-face piano students, as well as distance piano students, all of whom have studied with me for the past 7 months. Located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and British Columbia, these distance students will join us by Skype and demonstrate the keyboard-to-keyboard connection we've utilized for lessons. The face-to-face students will play before a live audience. The entire recital will be streamed online at the following link:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lsu-school-of-music

Prof. James Byo and digital media staffer Joey Watson

Prof. Gregory Sioles

Rebecca Belleo briefs her charges.

Joey Watson operating the live stream

LSU Opera students--grateful for scholarships from BROG

2011-12-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

Baton Rouge Opera Guild (BROG) Scholarship Students from the LSU Operaprogram.

From the left: JoelMathias, Megan Barrera, Penelope Shumate, Robyn Lamp, Vincent Turregano,Chelsea Miller, Nathan Walker, Gregory Gallagher, Sean Matassa.

Christopher O'Riley and LSU Symphony in Dallas Feb. 25th, 2012

2011-12-09T12:08:00.001-08:00

Christopher O'Riley with the LSU Symphony Orchestra

2011-12-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

Christopher O'Riley with the LSU Symphony Orchestra

New York Times: The Year in Classical Music

2011-12-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Year in Classical Music

Touchdown Opera Tigers! (promo for La Boheme)

2011-11-29T09:26:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IEiHSFGIWwM

Annual Candlelight Concert

2011-11-29T09:23:00.001-08:00

Huge opportunity for CMDA students!

2011-11-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Silent FIlm Music 110811

2011-11-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Lisette Oropesa ('76) debut with San Francisco Opera

2011-11-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

http://sfopera.com/Season-Tickets/2011-2012-Season/Xerxes.aspx

http://sfopera.com/Profile-Bios/Artists_1112/Lisette-Oropesa.aspx

Lisette Oropesa at an LSU Opera
fundraiser on Sept. 25, 2011.
Photo by Alice Stout

Alley Theatre interview with LSU theatre alum Elizabeth Ashley

2011-11-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alley/An_Interview_with_Elizabeth_Ashley_EN.asp?SnID=2

(Left to Right) Elizabeth Ashley as Stella Gordon, Penny Fuller as
Lucille and Roger Robinson as Doug in the Alley Theatre’s
production of Dividing the Estate. Photo by Jann Whaley

August: Osage County at Swine Palace--review | | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-10-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

review | | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Advocate Photo by Heather McClelland

Stars invade Quad to shoot movie - Entertainment - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University

2011-10-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Stars invade Quad to shoot movie - Entertainment - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University

Help wanted--drummer for rock band

2011-10-19T06:13:00.001-07:00

Live Sound: Meyer Sound Constellation “Raises the Roof” At LSU’s Union Theater - Pro Sound Web

2011-10-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Live Sound: Meyer Sound Constellation “Raises the Roof” At LSU’s Union Theater - Pro Sound Web

Drummonds acknowledges debt to LSU School of Music with benefit event | Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-10-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

Drummonds acknowledges debt to LSU School of Music with benefit event | Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Tigerama Photo Gallery

2011-10-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Tigerama 2011

Dukakis, O’Riley visits delight LSU music students | Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-10-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

Dukakis, O’Riley visits delight LSU music students | Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

2011-10-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

LSU Symphony with Joseph Skillen!

2011-09-28T03:57:00.001-07:00

Shapeshifter--final week

2011-09-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

Plz "like" LSU Opera

2011-09-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

LSU Opera

LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts

2011-09-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Donald McKinney Makes His Debut as LSU Wind Ensemble Director: http://bit.ly/qJnNkV via @AddThis

Christopher O'Riley Chamber Music Concert Friday, Sept. 23 at LSU

2011-09-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

Tickets

LSU School of Music

2011-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

LSU School of Music

Reasons why great students choose LSU for the performing arts

2011-09-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011--at about the same time, Olympia Dukakis will be holding a master class for LSU theatre students--while jazz legends McCoy Tyner and Joe Lovano will be doing the same with LSU jazz students--interacting and answering questions.

Interview with Margo Drakos

2011-09-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.music.lsu.edu/News/newspage.asp?i=94

2011 MacArthur Fellowships announced--3 performing artists

2011-09-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

There are 22 winners of MacArthur fellowships by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The winners each receive $500,000 grants that are paid out over five years and come with no strings attached.

Francisco Núñez, 46, a conductor and composer with the Young People's Chorus of New York City. He has shaped the future of choral singing for children by expanding access from inner-city to elite schools, redefining the artistic and expressive boundaries of the youth choir.

Dafnis Prieto, 37, a jazz percussionist and composer in New York City. He has electrified audiences with dazzling technical abilities and rhythmically adventurous compositions while infusing Latin jazz with a bold new energy and sound.

Alisa Weilerstein, 29, a cellist in New York City. She has combined technical precision with impassioned musicianship in performances of both traditional and contemporary music, and expanded the cello repertoire through collaborations with leading composers.

This individual produces and co-hosts a favorite NPR program of mine--Radio Lab, he also won--

Jad Abumrad, 38, a radio host and producer at WNYC, in New York City. He has engaged a new generation of listeners with audio explorations of scientific and philosophical questions that evoke a sense of adventure and recreate the thrill of discovery.

Taken from the Chronicle of Higher Education

http://chronicle.com/article/12-Academics-Are-Among-22/129079/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

LSU alum Chris Boneau works with Janice H. Pellar Creative Arts Entreprenurship Project

2011-09-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Joseph Skillen, Coordinator of Brass and Percussion Studies and Director, Janice H. Pellar Creative Arts Entrepreneurship Project hosted NYC publicity executive and press representative Chris Boneau (of BONEAU/BRYAN-BROWN, INC.,) for an exciting 2-day residency. Chris Boneau is pictured here with LSU students who participated in a special marketing workshop.

Since 1991 BONEAU/BRYAN-BROWN's Broadway and off-Broadway productions have won:
144 Tony Awards
7 Pulitzer Prizes
133 Drama Desk Awards
97 Outer Critics Circle Awards

l.r. Michael Martin, Paris Rumford, Chris Boneau, Jordan Stage,
Breanne Strawn, Christina Sutton and Dean Kaptain

Exceptional creativity from LSU

2011-09-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

[SONIC | MEDIATION] is a trio of Baton Rouge-based sonic artists using

technology to make connections between ideological and societal

currents, interactivity, and sound.

Jesse Allison [allisonic.com] | LSU Assistant Professor of Experimental

Music & Digital Media, President of Hardware Engineering, Electrotap LLC

Nick Hwang [nickhwang.com] | Sonic and Experimental Artist, Interactive

Programmer, PhD Candidate in Composition at LSU

Michael Straus [mstraus.net] | Saxophone Interventionist, EAR Duo, PhD

Student in Experimental Music & Digital Media at LSU

Report on LSU Opera alums by Dan Bivins

2011-09-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

It is such an honor to be Dean of a performing arts entity with alumni who appear in film and on stage all over the world and across the U.S. Our theatre alums and faculty can be seen in films like The Grifters and Monsters Ball, and on stage in Equity theatres all over the country. LSU Opera patron Dan Bivins tracks our opera alums (a big job--because there are so many!)-and I'm copying and pasting his report here:

VETERAN BARITONES. The first week in September LSU baritone Donnie Ray Albert was back in Prague, singing the final two performances of the Four Villains in Tales of Hoffman. They seem to like him. At least the critics did not fuss about his accent. It was sung in Czech.

Another veteran baritone, James Johnson of LSU, sang with the San Francisco Symphony. Guest conductor was the esteemed Eschenbach, hope I spelled that correctly.

Michael Devlin, another LSU veteran bass baritone, coming off respected, critically acclaimed performances at the Met of the role of the Major Domo is reported to have told friends that he will sing more in 2011-12 at the Met. I checked all of the major casts at the Met for the coming season, did not find him. It is almost certain he has comprimario engagements, which are not listed in principal casts of the Met.

* * *

BARITONE Scott Hendricks, also of LSU, sings the part of Scarpia, Monday evening at the Washington National Opera. It is a good opportunity for Scott. In Houston, Scott continues his March to the Met, engaged by Houston to sing Rodrigo in Verdi's great opera, Don Carlos.

* * *

TENOR Paul Groves, will be back at LSU on Sept 25 to help his former teacher Bobby Grayson raise funds for scholarships in the Voice division of the LSU School of

Music. He will be assisted by rising star at the Met, Lisette Oropesa. Don't miss that.

# * * *

I Have mentioned previously Arthur Espiritu, a fine young tenor who graduated from UNO. Arthur is scheduled to sing the tenor lead in Verdi's seldom-performed opera Attilla tomorrow at the Washington Concert Opera.

* * *

CLOSER to home, Thursday saw a well-received performance of Gounod's Faust presented by Opera Louisianne, Baton Rouge's fledgling young opera company.

Soprano Kat Drake sang the role of Margurite. She is still a young singer, but has gained much experience through LSU Opera, whose conductor Michael Borowitz also provided musical direction for Faust. Leeann Pettit Clement is executive director of Opera Louisianne. She has been around LSU Opera for a number of years, as a student. She earned stage direction stripes working for Dugg McDonnough, esteemed director of LSU Opera. By the way, should you have an opportunity to hear Leeann's fine mezzo soprano voice, you will not be disappointed.

* * *

LISETTE Oropesa has among her 2011-12 engagements a Handel opera at the Met on New Year's EVe, running the first three weeks of January. She will make her house debut at the San Francisco Opera in another Handel opera, partnering the starry mezzo Susan Graham.

* * *

ALEC Shrader (boy friend of LSU's Daniella Mack) got good notices this summer for his appearances at the Salzberg Opera Festival. And by the way, check out New Orleans Opera's production of Salome by Strauss. It is their third opera of the season, will be in the spring, and one of singers will be Gwen Jones. She will bring her mezzo soprano to the role of Herodias. She and Dugg McDonnough are a couple. It is a role with teeth in it. Looking forward to it. DAN

LSU Department of Theatre, Swine Palace to Hold Master Class with Oscar Winning Actress Olympia Dukakis

2011-09-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

LSU Department of Theatre, Swine Palace to Hold Master Class with Oscar Winning Actress Olympia Dukakis

Oscar Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis At LSU!!!

Arts presenting in Houston

2011-09-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/07-24-11-houston-salon-gets-a-makeover/

Photo by Jenni Rebecca Stephenson

Spacetaker's weekly Cultured Cocktails happy hour at Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar offers a fun way for Houston arts groups, artists and audiences to mix, mingle and enjoy some killer-good sangria.

Photo by Man Ray

Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, 1922, gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

LSU School of Music faculty member Brian Shaw cited in important blog

2011-09-08T14:34:00.001-07:00

http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC1B41DBB82493136&feature=mh_lolz

http://www.youtube.com/user/bshawmusic

Brian Shaw directing LSU Jazz Ensemble

Un poisson, deux poissons, (le) Poisson Rouge, le poisson bleu | KCMETROPOLIS.org - Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

2011-09-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Un poisson, deux poissons, (le) Poisson Rouge, le poisson bleu | KCMETROPOLIS.org - Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

LSU CMDA students win iPad 2

2011-09-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Senior Briana Anyigbo (Houston) and doctoral student Arisia Gilmore (Colorado Springs) each won an iPad 2 from a drawing held after the 2011 Opening Convocation. Guest speaker Margo Drakos drew the winning names and the iPads were donated by Janice Pellar ('73), President and CEO of EMCO Technologies and benefactor of the Janice H. Pellar Creative Arts Entrepreneurship Project.

Senior Briana Anyigbo (Houston), left and doctoral student
Arisia Gilmore (Colorado Springs) right--along with Dean Kaptain.

Photo by Alice Stout

Music petting zoo at LSU Performing Arts Academy Open House 082711

2011-09-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts Combines Education with Community Outreach

2011-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts Combines Education with Community Outreach

Classical music joins the Internet | Business | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-08-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Classical music joins the Internet | Business | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts professional, technical and support staff

2011-08-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Graphic Design by Alice Stout

Steve Jobs's Ultimate Lesson for Companies - Horace Dediu - Harvard Business Review

2011-08-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs's Ultimate Lesson for Companies - Horace Dediu - Harvard Business Review

Gene Worley (1927-2011) Friend of the School of Music

2011-08-29T08:37:00.001-07:00

Arthur Gene Worley

Gene was born in Junction City, AR on April 27, 1927 and passed away August 25, 2011 at the age of 84 surrounded by his loved ones. He grew up in

El Dorado, AR where he attended Southside School and El Dorado High School. The day after graduation he was drafted into the Army.

He proudly served his country during WWII. While stationed at LSU, he joined the chancel choir at First United Methodist Church, where he met Virginia. Four months later, on August 5, 1947, they were married. This month, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. He was discharged from the Army in the summer of 1948 and went on to complete his Bachelor’s degree in three years. He will be remembered by many for the years he ran an Esso station on Highland Rd., his time in the Mayor’s Office as Woody Dumas’s Adm. Assistant and as “the chocolate man” of World’s Finest Chocolate. He always said he had the sweetest job, which he loved for 25 years. He was also a 32^nd degree Mason. Gene and Virginia took many wonderful trips where they made friends along the way. But their travels always brought them back home where he enjoyed gardening, blogging, activities at First United Methodist church where he was a member for 64 years and especially time with family and friends.

Gene was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abie and Will, an infant brother and sister, brother Malcolm and sister Louise. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Durrett Worley; son and daugher-in-law, David and Charlene Worley; daughter and son-in-law, Tricia and Willis Delony; brother and sister-in-law, Wren and Virginia H. Worley; grandchildren Kari Worley Roucher, Chris Worley, Craig Delony, Mary Claire Delony and Ben Delony; four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the ICU at Baton Rouge General on Bluebonnet and to Gene’s nephew, Mitch Worley, for his love and support.

Come celebrate Gene’s life with his family during a visitation at First United Methodist Church on Monday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. until the service in the church sanctuary at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements made through Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Music Program, or to the LSU Foundation -- School of Music Scholarship Fund.

Seniors embark on new musical horizon | Home | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-08-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Seniors embark on new musical horizon | Home | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Betty Schroeder, right, tries playing the clarinet Saturday while New
Horizons Band instructor Andrew Gerbitz, a doctoral student in the LSU School of Music, offers assistance. The band designed for people over 50 who always wanted to play a musical instrument was being formed during an open house event at the LSU Performing Arts Academy.
BRENDEN NEVILLE / THE ADVOCATE

Making way for the Steinways: LSU gets 17 pianos | Art | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-08-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Making way for the Steinways: LSU gets 17 pianos | Art | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

PATRICK DENNIS / 00026793A

CONSTANTINIDES¹ MUSIC ON PROGRAMS OF SIX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS IN USA, SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE

2011-08-23T11:11:00.001-07:00

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CONSTANTINIDES’ MUSIC ON PROGRAMS OF SIX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS IN USA, SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE

Recently Louisiana Sinfonietta director and LSU Boyd Professor Dinos Constantinides has had his music scheduled on six symphony orchestra programs in the USA, South America and Europe.

His work China II-Beijing was performed at Avery Fisher Hall in New York with the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International on June 6, 2011; again in Uruguay with La Filarmonica de Montevideo on July 27, 2011; and in Argentina with the Orquestra Sinfonica de Buenos Aires on July 30, 2011, all under the direction of Jonathan Griffith.

Constantinides’ Concerto for Piano and Orchestra will be premiered by the LSU Symphony, with soloist Michael Gurt, on September 12, 2011 in Baton Rouge, under the direction of Carlos Riazuelo; and his Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra will be premiered by the Louisiana Sinfonietta and violin soloist, Yova Milanova, on October 9, 2011, in Baton Rouge under the direction of the composer.

The Constanta Symphony Orchestra of Romania will include his Concerto No. 1 for Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra with saxophone soloist, Stathis Mavromathis, and his Sixth Symphony in a concert directed by Constantinides as a part of Constanta’s Festival of Ballet and Opera on October 28, 2011. Finally, trombonist and member of the Canadian Brass, Achilles Liarmakopoulos, will premiere Constantinides’ Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra on March 18, 2012 in Baton Rouge, with the Louisiana Sinfonietta under the direction of the composer.

For tickets and information on the Louisiana Sinfonietta’s upcoming concerts for the season, contact the group at its new address: P.O. Box 80371, Baton Rouge, LA 70898, call 578-4010 or 766-3487, or consult the Sinfonietta’s website: www.louisianasinfonietta.org.

Aspen Music Festival – A fully staged West Side Story

2011-08-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

LSU's Noel Bouley mentioned

August 22, 2011
United States Aspen Music Festival (13): Recitals by Edgar Meyer (bass) and Sarah Chang (violin), Steven Osborne and friends play Ravel’s Piano Trio, Opera Theater does West Side Story. 19.8.2011 (HS)
Aspen Opera Theater Center knew that its decision to present a fully staged West Side Story would present a challenge. The iconic musical, an adaption of “Romeo and Juliet” set in the gang culture of 1950s New York (with the Jets as the Montagues, the Sharks the Capulets), fits into 2011′s Shakespeare theme. Young opera singers, however, must adapt to unfamiliar singing styles, they must dance convincingly, and there’s dialog. Lots of it, in accented American English.
So let’s say that the production, which debuted Tuesday in Wheeler Opera House, achieved partial success. On the plus side, the orchestra, under Michael Christie, captured the flair of Bernstein’s music well. The sets were fine and Edward Berkeley’s unobtrusive direction brought out nuances of the book and the score. The singing, by and large, reflected the music’s distinctive jazz- and Latin-inflected styles. It was also a pleasure to hear such an iconic musical in its original orchestration and volume level, without the distortion and amplification so common in theaters these days.
Only a few standouts in the all student cast actually managed to combine singing, dialog and movement into complete roles, however. Opening night jitters might have been responsible for a tentativeness in many of the performances, especially in dialog but also in song and dance, which had the effect of taming the book and score. For the dancing, which carries much of the plot, the cast was game and Jeanne Slater’s simplified choreography managed to get the story told, but not with the pizzazz that can be the glory of this piece.
As Tony, Brenton Ryan matched his light lyric tenor well with the creamy soprano of Ying Fang (Maria). They sounded hesitant in all their scenes together, however. It’s probably unfair to cast a non-English speaker as Maria, which requires dialog in a Puerto Rican accent. Ying did better in the second act, especially opposite mezzo-soprano Megan Marino’s Anita in the powerful “A Boy Like That”/”I Have a Love” scene.
Marino, in fact, just about stole the whole show. In scene after scene, she owned the stage, a compelling presence informing songs and ensembles such as “America,” and the “Tonight” quintet. Her dialog and dancing looked natural and assured. Same can be said of baritone Timothy Campbell, who carried himself like a gang leader and sang Riff’s jazzy songs, such as “Cool,” with idiomatic élan. Tenor Adrian Rosas made a worthy counterpart as Bernardo, and Noel Bouley (a superb Falstaff last month) anchored his scenes as Doc, his dialog worthy of a pro actor.
Quality of dancing notwithstanding, musical values carried ensemble scenes such as the wordless Prologue, “America,” “The Dance at the Gym,” and “Officer Krupke,” which benefited from secure singing and Christie’s clear conducting. The final scene, however, which should have everyone in tears, left me dry-eyed despite the best efforts of the orchestral underscoring.
Those who bought special event tickets for Sarah Chang’s concert Thursday in the tent can be excused if they felt a bit short-changed. Her contribution to the 75-minute event consisted of two short pieces and the violin part of Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3, all of which she played with her characteristic flair. Christopher Richardson, a very young pianist, opened the concert with short pieces by Schumann and Liszt. He played them extraordinarily well, but why was he on a Sarah Chang special event? Accompanied deferentially by Rita Sloan, Chang spun out a lovely long line in Bach’s aria commonly known as “air on the G string” (the second time we have heard it this summer), and dug into Gardel’s tango “Por una cabeza” at too rapid a clip to let the music do its work. Chang, Sloan, cellist Brinton Smith and violist Stefan Wyrczynski played the quartet with warmth and suppleness.
Bassist Edgar Meyer certainly gave his audience their money’s worth in his solo recital Wednesday night in Harris Hall. His playing on Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 was the most nuanced I have heard from him (he plays this one often). A new three-movement composition for solo bass, identified only as “a work in progress,” brimmed with inventive ideas, especially the pizzicato second movement, which seemed to improvise on a distinctive scale, and the rondo-like finale, which kept returning to a cheeky riff. The second half consisted mostly of older compositions structured as in jazz, setting out a song form, improvising and returning to the song, entertaining to hear and jaw-dropping in their virtuosity. For encores he played two duets with his son George, a violinist in the Festival Orchestra this year. The first, a deceptively simple composition by Meyer the Younger, had charm and soul, and the other came straight out of bluegrass.
Monday’s faculty chamber music concerts have been at a consistently high level this year, and the performance this week of Ravel’s Piano Trio took things to a peak. Pianist Steven Osborne, cellist Smith and violinist Bing Wang (three quarters of the quartet for the Messiaen on Saturday) dived into the music with a splash and never let up. It’s a gorgeous trio, with twists and turns typical of Ravel, and the musicians exulted in it all.
Earlier, a mostly student ensemble joined pianist David Friend, a champion of new music who plays with extraordinary sensitivity, in a juicy performance of Messiaen’s Oiseaux exotiques, a collection of bird calls colored by the composer’s orchestrations. Friend also played onStimulus Package, a 2009 piece by composer in residence George Tsontakis. It weaves music from his ancestral home, Crete, with modern gestures. Cello soloist Mariel Roberts, a member of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, played the challenging part soulfully, accompanied by Friend and two percussionists.
Harvey Steiman

Seth's Blog: When ideas become powerful

2011-08-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Seth's Blog: When ideas become powerful

LSU School of Music students win national prizes

2011-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

Results from the 2011 Falcone Festival

Euphonium Artist Division

1st place - Toby Furr, teacher Dr. Brian Bowman, University of North Texas

2nd place - Daniel Chapa, teachers Dr. Brian Bowman & Dr. Joseph Skillen, University of North Texas

3rd place - Matthew Shipes, teachers David Zerkel, Dr. Benjamin Pierce & David Graves, University of Georgia

Tuba Artist Division

1st place - Andy Larson, teacher Dr. Joseph Skillen, Louisiana State University

2nd place - Brian McBride, teachers Phil Sinder, Jeff Jarvis, Craig Knox, & Alan Baer, Michigan State University

3rd place - Colby Fahrenbacher, teacher Mark Moore, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

http://www.falconefestival.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=130

Julian Treasure: The 4 ways sound affects us | Video on TED.com

2011-08-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Julian Treasure: The 4 ways sound affects us | Video on TED.com

The Music of Dinos Constantinides @ Carnegie Hall 021212

2011-08-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Geaux Dinos!!!!

Profile on Scott Eric Olivier--a new friend of LSU and the College of Music and Dramatic Arts

2011-07-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.1012corridor.com/news/2011/aug/01/tech-head/

Scott Eric Olivier Photo credit: 1012 Corridor

LSU Performing Arts Academy in BR Business Report

2011-07-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.businessreport.com/news/2011/jul/23/no-business-show-business-gnit1/

THE SHOW MUST GO ON: Blake Wilson is the director of the LSU Performing Arts Academy,
which has expanded what was once just a music academy to include theater, dance and digital media.

Hot Summer Nights and Cool Jazz at LSU---Live streaming tonight!!!!

2011-07-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

7:30 PM CT Friday, June 22, 2011

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lsu-school-of-music

LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts--Opening Convocation

2011-07-19T15:17:00.001-07:00

Recent Theatre grad Bradley Sanchez featured on the Hiptix video

2011-07-10T12:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.artsjournal.com/lifesapitch/2011/06/youre-young-youre-broke/

It’s all new when LSU trio, guests perform for Hot Summer Nights | Magazine | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2011-07-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

It’s all new when LSU trio, guests perform for Hot Summer Nights | Magazine | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Aaron Koblin: Artfully visualizing our humanity

2011-07-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_koblin.html

Artist Aaron Koblin takes vast amounts of data -- and at times vast numbers of people -- and weaves them into stunning visualizations. From elegant lines tracing airline flights to landscapes of cell phone data, from a Johnny Cash video assembled from crowd-sourced drawings to the "Wilderness Downtown" video that customizes for the user, his works brilliantly explore how modern technology can make us more human.

Technologist/Entrepreneur/Artist Scott Eric Olivier visiting LSU today!

2011-07-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

http://ja-jp.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=149905031748455&comments

LSU's Sarah Bartolome publishes article

2011-07-07T08:53:00.001-07:00

http://gmt.sagepub.com/content/24/3/28.abstract

From the Des Moines Register re: Des Moines Metro Opera Review

2011-07-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

From the Des Moines Register

Des Moines Metro Opera review: “Dialogues of the Carmelites”

11:37 AM, Jul 4, 2011 | by Michael Morain |
Comments

Categories: Arts in Iowa

This past weekend the Des Moines Metro Opera opened a haunting new production of Francis Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites” at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola.

It’s a French show (although sung here in English), and in some ways, it’s like a rare French wine: complex, intense, weighty, even bitter. It’s an acquired taste and probably not a good choice for someone new to the form.
The real-life story about an order of nuns during the French Revolution is definitely dark. The 1957 score has few recognizable patterns or stand-alone arias, although conductor David Neely’s dramatic flourishes with its abrupt transitions add oomph to the lyrics that follow.
The costumes are somber – mostly brown and black habits – and the set is austere, with a few gothic arches in the convent and computer-generated silhouettes to suggest the peasants clamoring outside. (Robert Little designed the set, with lighting by Barry Steele.)
But stage director Dugg McDonough’s overall vision pays off for those who give it the concentration it requires. During the show’s nearly three hours (with one intermission), it’s impossible not to wonder: What would you do in the same situation? How would you feel?
The story revolves around a jittery young woman named Blanche (played with nuance and vocal clarity by DMMO veteran Jane Redding), who abandons the relative comforts of her wealthy family for a life of prayer in a convent. But her insulated peace doesn’t last long. Revolutionary soldiers accuse the order’s priest of conspiring with the monarchy, the prioress dies (in a grim, convulsive fit by the excellent Sondra Kelly), and another young nun (Lindsay Ohse, channeling Julie Andrews) predicts that she and Blanche will soon die.
A new prioress takes over (the versatile Brenda Harris, who was last year’s Lady Macbeth) but her assistant (played with chilling severity by Blythe Gaissert) holds more sway. She persuades her sisters to take the vow of martyrdom that leads to the guillotine and the show’s inevitable conclusion.
Poulenc was a deeply religious man, and he suffered a nervous breakdown while writing the opera, supposedly because he felt such a deep connection to the characters’ test of faith. Although he wrote the original libretto in French, he requested it be performed in the language of the audience. Here, it’s a reminder during the first week of July that revolutions come with a price.
When the lights go out, the nuns line up for their curtain call, their tattered white smocks glowing like ghosts on the dark stage. The rest of the show is powerful, but at that moment, it’s hard to remember anything else.
…
WHEN: July 10, 13 and 15, in rotation with “La Boheme” and “Don Pasquale”
WHERE: Simpson College’s Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola
TICKETS: $47-$87
INFO: (515) 961-6221, www.desmoinesmetroopera.org

Great poster for LSU Performing Arts Academy!

2011-06-27T14:27:00.001-07:00