CPSB Visual and Performing Arts

08/06/2026

Attention Band and Vocal Directors:

Location Change for Friday’s In-Service (August 7)

Due to circumstances beyond our control, tomorrow’s (Friday, August 7) in-service has been relocated to the VPA Band Room.

Please help us spread the word by contacting your colleagues. Cooperating teachers, please be sure to notify your resident teachers as well.

The schedule remains the same. Only the location has changed.

The VPA Band Room is located at the Curriculum and Instruction Building at 600 S. Shattuck St.

Parking: Overflow parking is available on the south side of the campus. Enter the drive on the south side of CPAS East Campus and park in the area inside the old track.

Thank you for helping ensure everyone receives this important update. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

08/05/2026

Congratulations to the Alfred M. Barbe High School Wind Symphony on this outstanding accomplishment. This achievement is a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by the students, directors, and the entire Barbe High School band program.

The Calcasieu Parish School Board Department of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to celebrate this significant milestone and recognizes the countless hours of hard work that made it possible. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. We look forward to seeing your continued success.

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the 2026 Barbe Wind Symphony has been awarded the LMEA Standard of Excellence Award! This is the highest award given to any performing ensemble by LMEA. We are so proud of our student’s hard work and dedication, and honored to be recognized as one of the best performing ensembles in the state of Louisiana. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

07/31/2026

Attention Band Directors:

As we continue preparing for an outstanding school year, we are excited to welcome you to the second day of our CPSB Music Educator In-Service on Monday, August 10, beginning at 8:00 AM in the CPSB VPA Band Room (600 S. Shattuck St.).

This year’s featured presenter is Rachel Allen, an award-winning band director, nationally recognized clinician, content creator, and speaker from West Virginia. Rachel will lead a day of engaging professional learning focused on strengthening band programs and providing practical strategies you can immediately apply in your classrooms and rehearsal halls.

Featured Sessions:
🎶 Building Better Bands Together
🎶 The 5 Essentials to Creating a Great Sound
🎶 Choosing the Right Band Music
🎶 The Four Pillars of a Successful Band Program

We look forward to bringing our CPSB band directors and guests together for another day of collaboration, learning, and inspiration as we prepare to make this school year our best yet.

06/26/2026

We are incredibly proud of the Westlake High School Ram Band as they prepare to represent our community and the entire state of Louisiana in the National Independence Day Parade in our nation’s capital. This is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of these talented students and directors.

As they march through the streets of Washington, D.C., they will proudly showcase the spirit of Westlake, Calcasieu Parish, and Louisiana on our nation’s 250th birthday. We wish them safe travels and an unforgettable experience.

Congratulations, Ram Band! Your community is cheering you on every step of the way.

04/30/2026

Join us for the annual Student Art Show at the Brimstone Museum.

Brimstone Historical Society
Henning Cultural Center

04/09/2026

Gillis Elementary 4th grade students had an incredible experience visiting Wendy Rodrigue at the Historic City Hall exhibit featuring the works of George Rodrigue and traveling to McNeese State University to explore the Visual Arts Department. Students were captivated by stories about George Rodrigue and his artistic legacy, gaining insight into his creative process and impact. While on campus, they participated in a hands-on art session and a gallery walk, giving them the opportunity to both create and experience art in a meaningful way. The day was filled with inspiration, learning, and opportunities for students to connect art with real-world experiences.

04/08/2026

Thank you Mayor Simien for highlighting and recognizing the arts! See you at the next show and concert series. 😁 🎨 🎶

04/01/2026

And we’re off with the first notes of the Middle School Honor Band-Terracotta Experience. Catch the concert this evening at 4:00pm in the W.W. Lewis Middle School Auditorium.

03/30/2026

Bell City School 4th graders had the opportunity to visit Wendy Rodrigue last week, and it was a wonderful success.

Students were fully engaged as she shared stories about Louisiana artist George Rodrigue and offered meaningful insight into both life and art. Her message was inspiring and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

A great experience for our students and a memorable day of learning.

03/29/2026

Join us for the Calcasieu Parish School Board Middle School Honor Band’s Terracotta Experience. This free concert is open to the public, and we invite everyone to attend.

Follow along as our students engage in a two-day immersive experience, making cross-curricular connections that bring history to life through Scott Watson’s Terracotta Warriors. This unique project blends music, history, and culture into a powerful and engaging performance you won’t want to miss.

Alfred Band & Orchestra
Alfred Music
Scott Watson

Join us for a special evening of music as the CPSB Middle School Honor Band presents Terracotta Warriors. This powerful and cinematic work brings history to life through sound, and we are honored to have Dr. Scott Watson with us for this performance.

Dr. Watson will spend the day working directly with the students, rehearsing this piece along with two additional works as they prepare for the concert. This unique experience gives our students the opportunity to learn from the composer himself and gain deeper insight into the music.

This project also highlights meaningful cross-curricular connections, as students explore the history and cultural significance behind the Terracotta Warriors. The experience will culminate with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for a special tour, bringing their learning full circle beyond the stage.

Come out and support these talented young musicians as they showcase their hard work and dedication. This is a concert you won’t want to miss.