Music programs are enhanced by the vital cultural life in the city of Pittsburgh, which is consistently ranked as one of America's "most livable cities." The proximity of the Mary Pappert School of Music to the city frequently brings these cultural events to the campus. Workshops, master classes, and special performances are often presented by visiting artists, including notable international musical icons.

Applied faculty in the Mary Pappert School of Music include members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestras, and Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, among others. Many of these musicians are also GRAMMY® winners. Affiliated ensembles include the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras, and Youth Chamber Connection. Our faculty members are recognized in the academic and cultural communities for their activities as performers, conductors, composers, music technologists, music therapists, church musicians, clinicians, and music scholars. Their experiences are invaluable to the development of our students.

Duquesne students also take advantage of the many performance opportunities available to them by local music organizations. Students are active members of many local orchestras, bands, and other performing ensembles.

History


The Mary Pappert School of Music is a recognized national leader in performance, music education, music therapy, music technology, and sacred music. Founded in 1926, the School of Music has enjoyed a rich tradition of preparing professional musicians for leadership roles in the 21st century. The earliest course of study led to the Bachelor of Music degree. A Bachelor of Science in Music Education was added later. The first graduate degree was awarded in 1928.

With collegiate enrollment numbering over 250 students, along with our community music program City Music Center, active summer sessions, and more than 200 public concerts and recitals each year, the Mary Pappert School of Music plays an important role in the intellectual and cultural life of the Pittsburgh region.

Duquesne University recognizes the changes that technology is bringing to the world of music in concert halls, classrooms, and recording studios. Our state-of-the-art facilities include electronic music labs, electronic instruments, and recording studios that benefit all students within the school. Music technology courses are available to students in every degree program.

The School of Music has been fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1966.

Mission Statement


The Mary Pappert School of Music provides musical education that connects the broad spectrum of historical and current practices; promotes the relationship between theory and practice; and prepares professionals who will be leaders in the musical culture of the 21st century.

Contact

Mary Pappert School of Music
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412-396-6080
music@duq.edu
duq.edu/music

Facilities Details

The Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation is a flexible, multi-purpose soundstage facility used for performances, recordings, and video production as well as large ensemble rehearsals and classroom learning. It is equipped with surround sound, 4k video, stage lighting systems, and a high-definition projection system. An adjacent mastering suite provides practical experience in 32-track recording, video capture, surround sound, and audio/video post-production.

At more than 5,000 square feet of space, the Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation is a premier state-of-the-art, acoustically enhanced recital and large ensemble rehearsal hall with Midas M32 front-of-house mixing as well as an Allen and Heath monitoring station, 4K video capture room and a complete mastering suite all digitally integrated into one facility. Designed for critical listening, the mastering suite is acoustically optimized for surround sound production and features 32 channels of Millennia HV microphone preamps feeding a Pro Tools 32-channel HD System with Avid S1 Control surfaces monitored with McIntosh or JBL surround sound speakers. In addition, Sequoia and Samplitude software are utilized for recording, mixing, and mastering. The performance space is equipped with stage lighting, multimedia projection with 5.1 surround sound audio, multichannel live sound, and live web streaming to provide a creative environment for student and faculty innovation in performance, recording, sound reinforcement, and live streaming. These facilities support the music school and music technology curriculum and provide students with real-world performance and production experience for the 21st century.

The MPSOM Recording Complex serves as a fully functional multitrack recording studio as well as a classroom and recording lab. Students learn the art of multitrack recording utilizing a Solid State Logic AWS 948 recording console with a 32-channel Avid Pro Tools HD digital audio workstation. A wide selection of digital signal processing plugins as well as outboard effects processors are available. The studio is equipped with a 7' Yamaha Disklavier MIDI grand piano in its own iso booth, a Pearl drum set also isolated, as well as an additional vocal iso room, a comprehensive selection of standard and high-end dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones, an array of Fender guitar and bass amplifiers, and a MyMix personal monitoring system. An Ampex ATR 100, Otari MTR10, Otari 4 track, Logic Pro, the complete East West Music Library, and additional softwares are also available for production experiences in both analog and digital production.
Production A is much like a home studio, where the control area and performance space are in the same location. This space is utilized primarily as a post-production room where students can edit and track on projects that don't require a large recording area. It is equipped with Pro Tools and a myriad of plugins, making it the perfect creative area for students to sweeten and adjust their latest projects.
Production B, while a more comprehensive space than Production A, is also set up like a home recording studio where students can edit and track on projects that don't require a large recording area. An Otari MX5050 even enables them to practice tape-based editing and looping. It is equipped with Pro Tools controlled by a Tascam US2400 surface, Korg Krome keyboard, a myriad of plugins, as well as the full East West Music Library.
The Digital Piano Lab is a piano classroom/computer lab featuring seventeen 88-key weighted action Roland digital pianos interconnected via a Roland classroom headphone communication system. Each workstation is connected to an Apple iMac computer featuring MakeMusic's Finale music notation and publishing software and Microsoft Office. Printing is also available directly or through the University DUPrint portal.
Housed within the Gumberg Library on campus, the Mary Jane Shultz Music Center offers a robust collection of music holdings, including scores, journals, books, streaming resources, audio CDs, and DVDs. Books and scores are located on the second floor. Audio collections are found on the first floor. Visit https://guides.library.duq.edu/music for a comprehensive guide to Gumberg's music collections and services.
The Matty and Eddy Shiner Practice Rooms are a suite of acoustically enhanced practice rooms in the lower level of the school, providing individual as well as small group rehearsal space in comfortable and attractive surroundings. These rooms were made possible by the generous gifts of the Pappert and Schultz families who wished to honor the work of Matty and Eddy Shiner, renowned performers and teachers in trumpet and trombone who taught many Duquesne students through the years.
Duquesne University is home to one of the nation's finest programs in organ and sacred music. The music school's organ studio is equipped with a three-manual Moeller pipe organ. Students in the organ and sacred music program also have access to a Schlicker tracker organ, a three-manual pipe organ enhanced and refurbished by Peter J. Luley, an Allen electronic organ, and two Moeller practice pipe organs. Organ and sacred music students regularly perform for liturgies and recitals in the historic Duquesne University Chapel of the Holy Spirit, where a new tracker organ by noted organ builder Dan Jaeckel was dedicated during the summer of 2015. Organ students also perform regularly on a variety of excellent and historic organs in churches throughout the Pittsburgh region.
The Music Technology Lab is a multipurpose learning facility with sixteen workstations, each equipped with a 21.5" iMac, high-speed internet connection, a Novation 61SL Mk II controller, a Zoom TAC-2 audio interface, and ProTools 2022. Other available software includes Apple Logic Pro X, MakeMusic's Finale music notation and publishing software, the complete Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro X, and Garage Band. Select stations also have access to the Alan Parsons "Art & Science of Sound Recording" Online Course. The teacher's station is equipped with a Korg GEC-5 stereo communication system, Alesis M1Active near-field monitors, and a Zoom TAC-8 audio interface. The lab is also equipped with a SmartBoard for electronic whiteboard instruction. Printing is also available directly or through the University DUPrint portal.
The PNC Recital Hall is a 250-seat, acoustically variable venue for performances ranging from solo recitals to chamber music, operatic scenes, jazz, and contemporary music, as well as orchestral tracking. The hall features two outstanding nine-foot Steinway concert grand pianos and a two-manual harpsichord. Integrated audio/visual and stage lighting systems provide opportunities for creative multimedia enhanced performances. The hall is tied to the Fender Recording Complex which provides 32 channels of Pro Tools HD recording, as well as being tied to a smaller studio for 8 tracks of archive recording. This hall provides the capability to live stream 4k video and gives the students practical video production experience with a Roland V60-HD production switcher, controlling three Marshall 4K high definition PTZ cameras and capturing video with four AJA KiPro 4K high definition video recorders.
In October 2008, the Anthony F. Triano Woodwind Suite was dedicated on the third floor of the music building, consisting of teaching studios for flute, clarinet, and double reeds. Triano, who played with the Hollywood Orchestra, left resources in his estate for providing scholarships and enhancements for woodwind students and updating teaching facilities.

This facility enables high definition 4K video capture, post-production, and live streaming for events held in the Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation. Students gain practical experience with video production through hands-on application of the Roland V60-HD production switcher, controlling three Marshall 4K high definition PTZ cameras and capturing video with four AJA KiPro 4K high definition video recorders. A Tascam DM-24 digital console allows audio mixing for live capture and multi-track recording utilizing Logic Pro software running on a 27 inch iMac. Final Cut Pro software is utilized for video post-production.

Accelerated Pathways and Dual Degrees in Music

Students have the option to accelerate the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music to complete the degree requirements in 3 years. Students who pursue an accelerated pathway will need to take some classes during summer semesters. Please see the Student Success Coach in the Mary Pappert School of Music for details. Students who graduate with an accelerated B.A. have the opportunity to pursue graduate programs at Duquesne in a compressed timeline, including (but not limited to) the following pathways:
  • Accelerated B.A. in Music (3 years) + MBA Sustainable Business Practices (1 year - P.J. Donahue Graduate School of Business)
  • Accelerated B.A. in Music (3 years) + Master of Science in Management (1 year - P.J. Donahue Graduate School of Business)
  • Accelerated B.A. in Music (3 years) + Juris Doctorate (3 years - Duquesne School of Law)
It is possible to combine a B.M. Performance degree with other undergraduate degree programs. Please be aware that specific length to completion for any of the Dual Degrees in Music may exceed four years, depending on each student's individual academic status including advanced standing, summer coursework, etc. Students may have to audition or complete other specific requirements in order to add an additional degree. Please contact the Student Success Coach in the Mary Pappert School of Music for details.

Administration and Faculty

David Allen Wehr, M.M.
Dean

Rachel Whitcomb, Ed.D.
Associate Dean

David Barr, B.S.
Piano Technician

Thomas Carsecka, Ed.D.
Director of Music Admissions and Community Programs

Jane Cubbison, A.D.
Student Success Coach

David Egyud, B.M.
Production Coordinator

Stephen Groves, M.M.
Director of Music Engagement, Events, and Marketing

Thomas Haas, B.M.
Operations Manager

Barbara McCandless
Music Enrollment Administrative Assistant

Carrie McCormack, M.M.
Assistant to the Deans

Karyn Reinhart, M.Ed.
Office Manager

Justin Stag, B.M.
Audio/Visual Technician

Emma Terhune, B.S.
Student and Alumni Services Coordinator

Colleen Woods, M.S.Ed.
Director of Business and Administration
Elaine Abbott
Professor Emerita
B.M., Michigan State University
M.M.T., Ph.D., Temple University

Christopher Allen
Adjunct Professor of Percussion
B.M., Curtis Institute of Music
M.M., Temple University
Member, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Michael Andreas
Adjunct Professor of Music Technology
Music Composition, UCLA
Music Performance, Cal State University, Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College

Gray Baldwin
Adjunct Professor of Music Therapy
B.M., Colorado State University
M.A., Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Leanne Belasco
Adjunct Professor of Music Therapy
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S., Johns Hopkins University

Stephen Benham
Professor of Music Education
Chair of Performance Department
B.S., University of Minnesota
M.M., University of Michigan
Ph.D., Eastman School of Music

Mary Lynne Bennett
Adjunct Professor of Piano
B.M., B.A., Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music
M.M., West Chester University
D.M.A., University of South Carolina

Jim Benoit
Adjunct Professor of Percussion
B.M., Berklee College of Music
M.M., The Juilliard School
A.D., Duquesne University
Member, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Ronald Bickel
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano
B.S., M.M., Duquesne University

Benjamin Binder
Associate Professor of Music
Chair of Musicianship Department
B.A., Yale University
M.M., Washington University
Ph.D., Princeton University

Max Blair
Adjunct Professor of Oboe
B.M., M.M., The Juilliard School
Member, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Luke Boegel
Adjunct Professor of Music Technology
B.M., Duquesne University

Judith Bowman
Professor Emerita
B.S., Nazareth College
M.M., Ph.D., Eastman School of Music

Jeff Bush
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies
Assistant Program Director of Jazz Studies
B.M., Youngstown State University
M.M., Manhattan School of Music

Robert Cameron
Professor and Director of Bands Emeritus
B.M., University of Miami
M.M., University of Michigan
D.M.A., University of Maryland

Student Organizations