The Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge (COBR) was founded in 2019, when a group of musicians, music educators, and volunteers met each other through common contacts at the LSU School of Music. The formation of COBR filled a longstanding void in the community – for decades, no community orchestra operated in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Danielle Ball (LSU BME ’12) was the Founding President, and Carlos Riazuelo (then Director of Orchestra Studies at LSU) was the first Primary Conductor. COBR continued its growth under the musical direction of Dr. Cliff Croomes and Elvis Bendaña.


Today, COBR is led by Musical Director and Conductor Brian Scott, DMA. The orchestra rehearses at the LSU School of Music and regularly presents free concerts at the Main Library at Goodwood, River Center Branch Library and other community spaces.


The COBR mission is two-fold. First, to bring orchestral music to community members who may otherwise never attend a symphony performance. Second, to encourage local musicians, including and especially non-professionals, to cultivate their talents. COBR members are all volunteers who seek to inspire each other to grow in their musical abilities while giving back to our community and having fun.


As an all-volunteer, non-profit community organization, COBR is supported primarily through the generosity of its members and the Baton Rouge community. Special thanks goes to the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System for its continued support.

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