LSU names Stuart Bell new Provost

Stuart Bell has been named the University’s new executive vice chancellor and provost after a search that spanned two semesters.

A University news release on Thursday announced that Bell, the dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas, would occupy the position following current Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton’s two-year appointment.

The new provost begins his tenure Aug. 1, pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Bell emerged from a pool of more than 100 candidates from across the country compiled by the Greenwood/Asher search firm. He was announced as one of four finalists in March, among two other deans from out of the state and the lone internal candidate, Dean Kevin Carman from the College of Science.

When Bell spoke to the campus community during a visit in March, he recognized the University’s financial struggle as a problem that extends across the nation, including Kansas.

He said an important effort the University needs to make is securing more respect among state lawmakers.

Bell also emphasized engaging students who are part of an “incredibly connected” generation.

Despite acknowledging the University’s struggles, he showed optimism for the future.

“We have to make sure to move forward and in the most positive fashion,” Bell said.

Read more at the LSU Reveille website.

Professor Willis Delony won 2 awards with BRSO

Dr. Willis Delony received two awards from the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors last week. The first award was for Musical Leadership, and the other award was an appreciation for performing with the BRSO with only 48 hours notice when he performed Camille Saint-Saens 2nd Piano Concerto in the fall of 2011. 


Dr. Delony has been the Interim Director of the School of Music for the last two years, and he is the Aloysia Barineau Professor of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Jazz Studies. 

Dr. Delony with Ms. Edith Kirkpatrick, who funded the Musical Leadership award.

Raul Gomez to be Assistant Conductor of Louisiana Sinfonietta

Raul Gomez, DMA candidate, will become the new Assistant Conductor of Louisiana Sinfonietta starting this September.

“The Jewel of Baton Rouge”
Louisiana Sinfonietta is an independent, nonprofit organization, wholly supported by its patrons and state and local grants. It emerged in the early 1980′s as a core of the Baton Rouge Symphony, becoming a chamber orchestra with Dinos Constantinides as its conductor who, at that time, was the BRSO concertmaster and Assistant Conductor.

Dean Kaptain performs with the National Symphony of Mexico

Dean Laurence Kaptain performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico the first weekend of June, down in Mexico City at the Sala Neza. Also on the program was Chinese piano sensation, Lang Lang.

While in Mexico City, Dean Kaptain held a discussion with students at Ollin Yoliztli.

Dress Rehearsal with Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto.
Maestro Prieto is also the conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Gabriella Jimenez, Professor of Percussion at Ollin Yoliztli

LSU Alum Patrick Posey Named Vice President of Artistic Planning and Educational Programs

Patrick Posey, an accomplished saxophonist who has held a succession of music administration positions at the storied Juilliard School in New York City, has been named vice president of artistic planning and educational programs at the Music Academy of the West. His appointment will be effective September 17, though he will be on hand for a portion of the Music Academy's upcoming 65^thanniversary Summer School and Festival.


Born in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Posey grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, before earning a bachelor's degree at Louisiana State University and a master's degree at the University of Michigan, both in saxophone performance. Following a teaching position at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, he served as visiting assistant professor of saxophone at the University of New Mexico for two years. He subsequently held administrative positions at Brevard Music Center, Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Stamford Symphony Orchestra, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. In 2010-11 Mr. Posey served as director of artistic operations for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, a collaborative effort involving YouTube, the London Symphony Orchestra, and several other worldwide partners. His work with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra included concerts in Australia and New York conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas.

Mr. Posey currently serves as director of orchestral activities and planning at Juilliard, a position he has held since August 2007. He previously held the titles of orchestra manager, orchestra personnel manager, and assistant orchestra librarian at Juilliard. In his current role Mr. Posey has worked with celebrated conductors such as Alan Gilbert, James Levine, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, and Michael Tilson Thomas, in addition to composer John Adams. He was selected for his new post from among more than 70 applicants following a four-month international search.

"We are very excited at the prospect of having a colleague of such distinguished achievement on our senior management team," said Music Academy President Scott Reed. "We plan to take full advantage of Patrick's energy, artistic vision, and deep industry roots as we move the Academy forward."

"The level of interest in this position was quite extraordinary, underscoring the Academy's growing stature in the world of classical music. I am very pleased that the process yielded such a talented arts administrator. I am confident Patrick will contribute significantly to the Academy's continued development as a top-tier training program for the nation's best young classical musicians," said Music Academy Board Chair Sharon Westby.

Continue reading the full story at the Music Academy of the West.