Tyler Bourque Joins the LSU School of Music as Instructor of Clarinet
June 30, 2026
New Instructor of Clarinet, Tyler Bourque
The LSU School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Tyler Bourque as Instructor of Clarinet, joining the faculty for the 2026–2027 school year.
A versatile and accomplished clarinetist rooted deeply in Louisiana's musical community, Bourque brings to the School of Music a distinguished performance career, a commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians, and a personal connection to LSU that makes his return especially meaningful.
Bourque has served as principal clarinet of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra since August 2019 and maintains an active career as a freelance musician. His orchestral experience spans a number of celebrated ensembles, including the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. An avid chamber musician, he has found success at Lyrica Baroque's New Orleans Chamber Festival and participated in the Boston Symphony Orchestra's "What I Hear" series during the 2021–2022 season, performing with a woodwind quintet. In 2021, he appeared as a soloist with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto.
Raised in south Louisiana, Bourque is a graduate of the LSU School of Music, where he studied with Deborah Chodacki. He later completed postgraduate work at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with William R. Hudgins of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and collaborating closely with members of that ensemble's distinguished wind section.
Beyond performance, Bourque has pursued a broad range of musical and scholarly interests. He completed significant coursework toward a Bachelor of Arts in English and received professional library training through the orchestra libraries of both the New England Conservatory and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, he served as Head Music Librarian of the Music Academy of the West. His work outside the concert hall has also included teaching middle school English in the public school system — experience that reflects his versatility as an educator and communicator.
In his own words, Bourque captures the significance of his return to LSU:
“ Ten years ago, I moved to Baton Rouge to continue my musical growth at LSU as a freshman member of the clarinet studio. I remember being drawn to the beauty of the school, the people in its halls, and the community's intense pursuit for musical excellence. The memories and lessons from my time spent at LSU have been so incredibly foundational to my career. Today, I am returning to Baton Rouge to foster a warm community of young musicians who care for one another deeply. It is my hope to continue the legacy I was once a part of, and I am excited to be home! ”
We warmly welcome Tyler Bourque back to the LSU School of Music and look forward to the passion, artistry, and community spirit he will bring to our students and faculty.