LSU School of Music Joins Community Partners in Launch of Baton Rouge Music Census
September 03, 2025
The LSU School of Music is proud to partner with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and fellow community leaders in launching the Baton Rouge Region Music Census, a first-of-its-kind effort to capture the voices, challenges, and opportunities shaping our local music scene.
The Census officially opens Thursday, September 4, 2025 and will remain live through Sunday, September 21, 2025 at brmusiccensus.org.
Why the Census Matters
Music is one of Baton Rouge’s strongest cultural assets. From performers and educators to venues, sound engineers, nonprofits, and beyond, our region’s music ecosystem is vast and diverse. The Census seeks to understand the realities of this community—what’s working, what’s challenging, and where new opportunities can emerge.
As Jonathan Grimes, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, explained, the effort depends on hearing directly from those shaping the scene day to day: “We need the voices of those who are out there doing the work—gigging, mentoring, producing, rehearsing, recording, teaching. That’s where the real knowledge lives, and it’s why we’re calling on community partners and local ambassadors to help us reach every corner of our music scene.”
For the LSU School of Music, this project connects directly with its mission to prepare students and strengthen Louisiana’s creative economy. Dr. James L. Byo, Director of the School of Music, noted that this kind of data can help bridge education and opportunity: “Understanding our music community is the first step towards growing it. The Baton Rouge Music Census helps us create more pathways for musicians, educators, and graduates to build lasting careers right here in Baton Rouge.”
Who Should Participate
The Census is open to anyone connected to the music ecosystem in the Greater Baton Rouge region, including:
- Musicians, educators, and students
- Venues, studios, and rehearsal spaces
- Sound engineers, producers, and promoters
- Nonprofits, businesses, and arts organizations
- Contractors, freelancers, and cultural workers
A Regional Effort
The Census is administered by Sound Music Cities and spearheaded locally by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and the City of Baton Rouge. LSU joins a robust slate of community partners including Southern University, the Baton Rouge Symphony, Manship Theatre, Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge, Raising Cane’s River Center, Mid City Ballroom, WAFB, the West Baton Rouge Museum, Live After 5, and many more.
Together, these partners are helping ensure that every voice across the 10-parish Baton Rouge region is represented.
How to Take Part
The Census will be available from September 4–21, 2025 at brmusiccensus.org.
We encourage all musicians, educators, venues, and anyone connected to the music ecosystem to complete the survey and share it within their networks. Every response brings Baton Rouge one step closer to a stronger, more connected musical future.