New Recital Hall to Be Named for Visionary Donors
January 22, 2026
As highlighted in the fall edition of Prologue, the College of Music & Dramatic Arts has begun a comprehensive renovationof one of LSU's busiest performance spaces–hosting close to 300 performances annually–the School of Music Recital Hall. This beloved hall is being fully reimagined as a modern venue for the 21st century, ushering in a new chapter for a space that has served generations of students, faculty, guest artists, and audiences. The renovation includes a complete acoustic redesign, new seating, updated lighting, and new HVAC and humidity-control systems, among many other upgrades. The CMDA community is eagerly looking forward to returning to the Recital Hall when work is completed later this summer.
John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer
When the renovation is finished, the space will be formally re-opened as the John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer Recital Hall, honoring the project’s benefactors. This transformation is the culmination of their landmark 2018 gift to the College of Music & Dramatic Arts, a gift that strengthened LSU Opera and made possible this renovation of the Recital Hall, one of the CMDA’s most essential venues.
Mr. Turner and Mr. Fischer have long demonstrated a deep, far-reaching commitment to the fine arts, championing organizations and programs in Houston, New York, Germany, and London. Yet Baton Rouge is home: Turner is a lifelong resident, and Fischer is an LSU alumnus. For more than two decades, they have made LSU a cornerstone of their philanthropy. Within the College of Music & Dramatic Arts alone, they have supported more than 20 initiatives, established several funds dedicated to student success, and elevated performance facilities. Their investment in the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera has led to many award-winning productions and continues to serve as a catalyst for graduates as they begin professional careers of their own.
A rendering of what the Turner-Fischer Recital Hall will look like upon completion
Reflecting on their impact, Eric Lau, Dean of the College of Music & Dramatic Arts, shared, “John and Jerry are visionary philanthropists whose steady investment in our people, productions, and facilities has made so much possible for so many. The renovation of the Recital Hall was made possible only through their sincere generosity, and once completed, the John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer Recital Hall will provide our students and faculty with a venue that matches their extraordinary talent.”