LSU Orchestral Studies

05/08/2026

The LSU Orchestral Conducting studio is delighted to welcome Doctoral Candidate, Samuel Brady! He will be joining the studio in the Fall of 2026.

Samuel Brady is a conductor currently based out of Houston, Texas. He serves as a conductor of both the Pearland Youth Orchestra and of the Houston Youth Chamber Orchestra, where he is also an Artistic Manager. He was previously assistant conductor of the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, and an apprentice conductor with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Throughout his career, Samuel has worked with a multitude of ensembles including the Houston Youth Chamber Orchestra, Pearland Youth Orchestra, Vita Musica, Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Hampton Roads Philharmonic, and many others. He has also functioned as Music Director for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s Academic Awards Celebration, and as Assistant Music Director for OCU’s award-winning production of Hansel und Gretel and Rent.

Samuel is also an avid academic, with a special interest in Music Theory Pedagogy. He has published numerous chapters in Open Music Theory—the first online open-source music theory textbook—including: “Texture,” “Roman Numeral Analysis and SATB Chord Construction,” “Inversions and Figured Bass,” and “The Basics of Sight Singing and Dictation.” His research has been presented at the College Music Society’s Mid-Atlantic conference and Christopher Newport University’s “Family Weekend Symposium” and “Summer Scholars Showcase.”

Samuel holds a Master's in Music in Orchestral Conducting from Oklahoma City University and a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Christopher Newport University in his hometown of Newport News, Virginia. His conducting teachers include Jeffery Grogan and Alexander Mickelthewate, along with numerous others. When not in music, Samuel loves to bake bread, coach field hockey, and stay active.

05/04/2026

We congratulate Jarred Kennedy, an outgoing Orchestral Conducting Master's Student, for a successful time at LSU.

He served for two years as Associate Conductor of the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a guest conductor with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Austin Civic Orchestra, National Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Cascade Orchestra, and the LSU Symphony. In 2026, Jarred was appointed as the Reno Chamber Orchestra Assistant Conductor Fellow.

Jarred will continue his studies as a Doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Professor Farkhad Khudyev.

05/01/2026

The LSU Symphony Orchestra had a successful performance this past Tuesday, with works by Gershwin, Mozart, Boutry, and Ravel, featuring the Dean's Concerto Competition winners, Sierra Hoaglund and Preston Hernandez. Thank you to everyone who attended, and we hope to see you on September 23rd as we open with Shostakovich's monumental 5th Symphony. Thank you to Carly McClendon and EyeWander for capturing these wonderful moments of the performance!

Photos Courtesy of LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts. Photography by EyeWander

Photos Courtesy of Carly McClendon

04/29/2026

Livestream link to our performance this evening!

04/28/2026

Join us this evening!!

This is it! TONIGHT the LSU Symphony Orchestra wraps up their academic year with a rousing program that features familiar favorites from Gershwin, Mozart, and Ravel along with highlighting the two winners of this year's Dean's Concerto Competition!

You don't want to miss this! Tickets are still available at https://www.purplepass.com/events/342997-lsu-symphony-orchestra-gerswhin-ravel-apr-28th-2026

📆 TONIGHT, Tuesday, April 28th
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 LSU Student Union Theater
🎟 General Admission: $18 // Student: $11

04/21/2026

The LSU Concert Orchestra had a great performance last Thursday evening, featuring movie scores, marches, and ballet music that really connected with the audience. It was an enjoyable night that reflected the group’s hard work and energy—and that same spirit carries into what’s ahead! The orchestra is open to students across campus, and anyone interested in joining for Fall 2026 can reach the graduate conductors at [email protected] or [email protected]. We’re excited to keep things going this fall!

04/20/2026

LSU Orchestral Conducting Studio Alumni Spotlight!

Congratulations to LSU's recent Orchestral Conducting graduates who are pursuing grand opportunities!

Kai-Chun Wong, LSU Class of 2025, is an incoming conducting student at the Mannes School of Music at The New School, where he will pursue the Professional Studies Diploma. He recently completed his Master of Music in orchestral conducting at Louisiana State University School of Music, studying in the studio of Scott Terrell.

Wong is deeply grateful for his time at LSU, where he had the opportunity to conduct multiple ensembles and benefited from mentorship across disciplines, including guidance from Dr. Damon Talley and Dr. Alissa Rowe.

He looks forward to continuing his studies in New York City and engaging with its vibrant musical community.

-

Carlos Eduardo Orta Orozco, LSU Class of 2024, is a conductor and violinist dedicated to expanding the modern musical landscape through a perspective free of restrictions and stereotypes. Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Eduardo holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from New Mexico State University and a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from Louisiana State University.

He currently serves as a teaching artist, leading the Red Stick Academy string program with Grace Notes School of Music and working with Kids’ Orchestra in Baton Rouge. He also performs as a violinist with local ensembles of Louisiana, including the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Louisiane.

In Fall 2026, he will begin pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at The University of Southern Mississippi under the guidance of Dr. Gregory Wolynec.

04/17/2026

Here is the link to our LSU Concert Orchestra performance! We will be on the second half of the concert. Thank you in advance for watching!

04/14/2026

Did you know that the LSU School of Music is home to an orchestra that brings together students from across disciplines to share the experience of orchestral performance?
Join the LSU Concert Orchestra—made up primarily of non-music majors—for an exciting program featuring selections ranging from John Williams’ Star Wars to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. The concert will take place this Thursday, April 16th at 7:30 PM in the LSU Union Theater.
Come out and support these talented students—and if you’re interested, you might even consider joining the orchestra yourself in the future!

03/21/2026

Link to our livestream: https://bit.ly/46lzMQD please fill in the necessary information then you will receive the YouTube link!

03/19/2026

The LSU Symphony Orchestra and A Ca****la Choir presents Joseph Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass tomorrow evening in Broadmoor Baptist Church at 7:30 pm. The first half of the concert with feature LSU Professors - Dr. He, Violin and Dr. Parker, Oboe on Bach's Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C Minor, BWV 1060R. The Symphony and Chorus have been rehearsing wonderfully for the program. Join us tomorrow evening!