LSU Virtual Tour has launched!

LSU has launched a new online virtual tour, available at www.lsu.edu/virtualtour. The virtual tour includes more than 60 videos on LSU’s academic programs, student life, resources and more. The virtual tour also includes an interactive map that integrates photos and videos with more information about various campus locations.

As part of the university’s “Love Purple/Live Gold” initiative, the new virtual tour has been in development for about a year in partnership with Realview TV, based in Atlanta. It was developed as a tool for prospective students to learn more about LSU, but current students, alumni, faculty and staff would also enjoy exploring LSU as never before.

“The LSU virtual tour allows students, counselors and parents, who have never visited our campus, to get a real sense of the great learning opportunities and overall environment on campus,” said David Kurpius, LSU associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. “Even for people who have visited campus, this tool goes into more depth and visits areas where people may have limited knowledge. It is a great opportunity to get to know many of the elements that makes LSU standout nationally.”

The virtual tour videos are categorized into six parts: “Find Your Academic Passion,” “Discover Your New Home,” “Helping You Succeed,” “Get Involved,” “Broaden Your Horizons” and “Explore Campus Resources.” The virtual map includes an interactive overview of campus with clickable “points of interest” that display more information, photos and videos.  

“In addition to highlighting the innovation and beauty of campus, prospective students, counselors and parents are able to get a glimpse into what life is like for a current LSU student through the student featured videos,” said Mandy Hoffman, LSU associate director of undergraduate admissions and student aid.

The virtual tour is available online and is also compatible on mobile platforms and with tablet computers.

In addition to the virtual tour, prospective students looking for more information about LSU can sign up to become a Tiger Insider.

Rossini's La Cenerentola, "Cinderella"

LSU Opera will be performing La Cenerentola this weekend, March 28, 29 & 30 at 7:30pm and April 1 at 3:00pm in the Shaver Theatre, located in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building.

La Cenerentola is a wonderful romantic comedy written by Giacomo Rossini. Based on the Cinderella story we all know and love, though there are a few changes. The step-mother is a step-father and the fairy godmother is more a godfather/mentor figure for both the Prince and Cinderella (Cenerentola), though he does have some magic up his sleeve. There is no glass slipper, but there is a bracelet. 

Keeping with the Louisiana Bicentennial this year, the director, Dugg McDonough, has chosen to set La Cenerentola in 1870's New Orleans at the time of the first Mardi Gras Ball. The beautiful, hand-sewn ball gowns and the Mardi Gras masks are a sight to be seen. The scenery theme is that of a storybook pop-up book, which makes the actors and costumes come alive and pop off the stage. 

NBC 33 met with Opera Production Manager, Mary Bayle for an interview. The video can be found on the NBC33 website.

The Advocate wrote a lengthy and in-depth article on La Cenerentola which can be found on the Advocate website.

Jeff Byrnes, a graduate student who is playing the role of Don Magnifico, Cenerentola's step-father, recorded a TV spot with a local early morning TV show. The video and other tidbits of information can be found on the LSU Opera's Facebook Page.

Swine Palace presents The Brothers Size

Swine Palace's production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brothers Size had their first show yesterday as a "pay what you can" performance. Performances are held in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building within the Studio Theatre. The show will run March 23-24 & 28-30 starting at 7:30pm. There are two matinee performances on March 25 and April 1 at 2pm. 

LSU Reveille wrote an article and posted a few pictures from last night's performance. 

LSU Stage Movement class performs in Quad

The LSU Reveille wrote a small article and took a lot of pictures of the LSU Stage Movement class performing in the quad. You can read and go through all the great pictures on the Reveille website. 

Our Trip to Universidad de Panama

Here are some pictures from my recent trip to Panama to support Doctor of Musical Arts student Raul Gomez. Raul was invited to give workshops to students and conduct a concert at the Universidad de Panama. Overall it was a very successful trip! I was delighted to see so many LSU Alums and supporters come out to see us. We hope this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

Faculty, staff and guests of DMA student Isaac Casal's Foundation,
Fundacion Sinfonia Concertante de Panama

Raul Gomez conducting during the concert








If you'd like to view more pictures, they can be found on my SmugMug site.

The Brothers Size, A Swine Palace Production

March 21 - April 1, 2012

A Louisiana story of two African-American brothers, Ogun and Oshoosi, who have taken very different paths in life, THE BROTHERS SIZE mixes music and myth with the contemporary realities of a racist justice system in a memorable, funny and heartbreaking look at sexuality, coming of age, and the bonds of family.


Directed By: FEMI EUBA

Written By: TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY

Performances at the: LSU STUDIO THEATRE

More information and tickets can be found here.

New Director for LSU School of Music

Dr. Stephen David Beck has been named the new Director of the LSU School of Music, effective July 1, 2012. 

Dr. Beck will serve a 5-year term as the Director, during which time he will continue his joint appointment at the Center for Computation & Technology as the Director of the AVATAR Initiative in Digital Media and Area Head of the Cultural Computing focus area.


Stephen Beck is currently the Haymon Professor of Composition & Computer Music here at the School of Music. He received his Ph.D. in Music Composition and Theory from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1988. To read more of his bio click here: Stephen Beck's Faculty Bio


Our students and faculty in the School of Music both need and deserve a leader with imagination and creativity. As a composer, Dr. Beck has taken LSU on new paths in musical performance with the Laptop Orchestra of Louisiana and provided sterling leadership in AVATAR, a multidisciplinary hiring initiative at LSU. Dr. Beck was also instrumental in seeking and receiving approval for an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in experimental music and digital media. He has cultivated a cadre of outstanding graduate students who are on track to become international leaders in the creative and emerging technologies.

To read the full press release you can click here: LSU SoM Director Press Release

Raul Gomez and the Dean go to Panama!

Doctoral Student in Orchestra Conducting
School of Music, Louisiana State University
Guest Conductor - Orchestra Workshop & Directing
March 17, 2012 | University of Panama

Doctor of Musical Arts student Raul Gomez has been invited to conduct this weekend at the University of Panama. 


I will be traveling with Raul to Panama this weekend to attend the concert and host a small reception to meet with LSU Alumni, prospective students and all the wonderful supporters. To view the full press release visit the School of Music website News Room.


This comes right after the announcement of the Hildegard Behrens Foundation 2012 Young Artist Awards where Raul and fellow DMA student Isaac Casal both received awards for their humanitarian efforts in music, most notably the Baton Rouge Kids' Orchestra. For more information you can visit: http://fanfaire.com/hbf/2012awardees/

LSU Winners in NATS Competition

Meredith Dubose 2nd Place Freshman Women - Bade


Megan Shipman 2nd Place Sophomore Women - Sims


Richard Coleman 1st Place Sophomore Men - Grayson


Kristi Beinhauer 1st Place Younger Graduate Women - Sims


Lindsey Roy 2nd Place Younger Graduate Women - Sims

CMDA Social Media Correspondent is Truman Finalist

http://www.lsu.edu/ur/ocur/lsunews/MediaCenter/News/2012/03/item44319.html

Two examples of her work:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20673468

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20673309

SciArt at LSU Theatre

Evemts like this are one of the WONDERFUL benefits of being at a place like LSU!!!

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

LSU Low Brass Day!!!

Christopher O'Riley post concert reception in Dallas

Some art from A+ Schools in Oklahoma City

Visit to A+ Schools in Oklahoma

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

We met with leaders of the A+ Schools, University of Central Oklahoma, Creative Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, the Oklahoma City Ballet, and principals/headmasters of various schools. We also visited several elementary schools, academies and charter schools. We observed children achieving, creating, succeeding and learning through the unique A+ Schools arts integration model. 

Rufus Reid at Manship Theatre with LSU Jazz