Mary Pappert School of Music

This Week at the Mary Pappert School of Music

Friday, 7:30 p.m. – Debut Faculty Recital: The People United Will Never Be Defeated – Kevin Lee Sun, piano | PNC Recital Hall

Sunday, 7:30 p.m. – Faculty Recital - Meghan DeWald Althouse, soprano & Xuelai Wu, piano | PNC Recital Hall

Next Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – Duquesne Symphony Orchestra | Power Center Ballroom

For more information and events, visit duq.edu/MusicEvents

Ian Michael Brown (M.M. Performance, organ) achieved a high grade of 84 in the playing portion of the AGO Associate exam in June. The American Guild of Organists Certification exams are an important way of measuring the musical competence of its members.

“My studies with Dr. Ann Labounsky and Mr. Chaz Bowers (M.M. Sacred Music, 2013) greatly aided me in my preparation for the AGO exam. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to study organ while still working and raising a family.”

Three MPSoM violinists from the studios of Charles and Rachel Stegeman recently won positions in the Wheeling Symphony in West Virginia. Following a rigorous two-round audition including performances of concerti and excerpts from the standard audition literature for violin, Danielle Barbosa (M.M. Performance), Anne Victoria Nasevich, (B.M. Performance), and Richard Palermo (B.M. Performance, 2021) are the newest members of the Wheeling Symphony’s violin section! Two Artist Diploma students were also finalists in that audition, as well: Mariya Krastanova and Camila Zanetti. Congratulations!

Are you interested in becoming a successful performing musician like these students? Find out why we’re the #1 music school for so many!

We hope you will join us at 7:30 p.m. next Friday, when new faculty member Dr. Kevin Lee Sun will perform his debut MPSOM recital. Dr. Sun will present Frederic Rzewski’s hour-long masterpiece for solo piano, The People United Will Never Be Defeated! (1975), a set of 36 variations on the eponymous Chilean chant for social change.

https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/calendar-of-events/index.php -details/24ef1f39-6613-48be-a1bb-808a22d1cd5f

The Kosciuszko Foundation Pittsburgh Chapter presents An Afternoon with Chopin on October 22, 3:00 p.m., featuring pianists David Allen Wehr (Dean, Mary Pappert School of Music; Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition Winner, 1975) and Dr. Robert Armstrong (Classical Musician, Pianist & Educator). All proceeds benefit the Teaching English in Poland (TEIP) program for Ukrainian refugees and disadvantaged Polish youth.

Tickets and more info at https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/calendar-of-events/index.php -details/2fa00079-e0b3-4750-8797-5ed45d6d9f3c

Don’t miss Dr. Noah Potvin present at the 2nd Annual integrative health summit Sept. 21-22. Summit topics focus on addressing social determinants of health and promoting health equity. Special alumni discount. Free to current Music Therapy students and faculty. Registration closes soon so register today: https://duq.edu/healthsummit

This Week at the Mary Pappert School of Music

Today, 7:30 p.m. – Uptown Jazz Series: September Songs | PNC Recital Hall

Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. – Master Class: Dr. Becky Billock, piano | Room 206
Free Admission

Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. – Master Class: Marianne Cornetti, mezzo-soprano | PNC Recital Hall
Free Admission

Sunday, 3:00 p.m. – Chopin & Schumann On the Bluff - Concert VI: Romance and Fairy Tales | PNC Recital Hall
Live Streamed

For more information and events, visit duq.edu/MusicEvents

Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music is pleased to present the opening concert of the Violins of Hope’s visit to Pittsburgh.

7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 8 in PNC Recital Hall. Admission to this concert is free, but registration is required. Seating is limited, so reserve yours now using this form! https://form.jotform.com/232015685453051

Read more about Violins of Hope in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/violins-of-hope-brings-7-weeks-of-exhibits-lectures-and-concerts-to-pittsburgh/

Violins of Hope brings 7 weeks of exhibits, lectures and concerts to Pittsburgh The exhibit will coincide with the fifth commemoration of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

Duquesne’s Music Therapy alumni earn 12.75 continuing education credits at the upcoming integrative health summit, Sept. 21–22. Learn alongside nationally recognized experts. Special alumni discount available. Register: https://duq.edu/healthsummit

Violinist Michelle Kenyon (M.M. Performance) recently won a job and finished a season of playing with the Ohio Light Opera.

Congrats, Michelle!

The second year of the Chopin & Schumann On the Bluff Series kicks this Sunday!

Reserve your seat now at duq.edu/BluffSeries!

Can't make it? The concert will be streamed live on the IEMMA Broadcast network at duq.edu/IBN.

See you soon!

Duquesne’s music therapists are advancing healthcare in the 21st century. Hear from DU music therapy faculty member, Dr. Noah Potvin, and other healthcare experts at the 2nd Annual Fritzky Family Integrative Health Summit (September 21–22). Earn 12.75 continuing education credits. Special alumni discount available.

Registration required: https://duq.edu/healthsummit

🎶📚 A standing ovation for Abigail Hill! Congratulations on winning the annual Presser Scholar award, a true testament to your exceptional musicianship and academic prowess. Your dedication is inspiring us all! 🏅🎹

"I was so grateful to receive the Presser Scholar award this year and for the support of my mentors, professors, and colleagues," said Hill. "The faculty and staff at Duquesne have crafted such an influential and inspiring learning experience for these past few years, and I am excited to apply what I have learned to my own classroom next year!"

David Allen Wehr, Chair of the Mary Pappert School of Music, stopped by the QED Morning Show to play two pieces by Chopin, as well as talk to Jim Cunningham about the next "Music on the Bluff" concert taking place Sunday August 27th at 3pm.

https://www.wqed.org/fm/podcasts/voice-arts/david-allen-wehr-3

🎵👋 Welcome back, music students! We hope you had a fantastic summer filled with unforgettable moments. The stage is set and the melodies await as we kick off another incredible semester of music classes. Whether you're a returning student or just starting your MPSOM career, we're thrilled to have you here with us. 🎶🎉

We are pleased to present the opening concert of the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh exhibit on Sunday, October 8.

Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will join students and faculty in presenting a variety of music related to the Holocaust, the Jewish experience, and attempts to ban music not deemed ideologically and ethnically "pure."

Music by David Stock, Hans Gal, Hanns Eisler, Robert Dauber, and Moritz Moszkowski will be performed. To conclude the concert, Director of Orchestral Activities Daniel Meyer will lead the Duquesne Chamber Orchestra on instruments from the Violins of Hope in a performance of Samuel Barber’s "Adagio for Strings."

Admission to this concert is free, but registration is required. Seating is limited, so reserve yours now at duq.edu/ViolinsOfHope

Happy move-in day to all of our new students! 💙❤️

The first concert of year two of Chopin & Schumann on the Bluff is just under two weeks away. New season passes and single concert tickets for the whole series are on sale now. Reserve your seat now so you don’t miss out! https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/calendar-of-events/bluff-series.php

We would like to highlight one of our community partners, Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music!🎶

The Mary Pappert School of Music challenges students to connect historical practices with modern methods, blend the traditional with current technology, and explore their artistry, creativity, and ingenuity to the fullest extent.🏫

We appreciate everything you do for your students and the Greater Pittsburgh Community!💙 Learn more about Violins of Hope community partners HERE: https://violinsofhopepittsburgh.com/community-partners/?utm_source=cbc&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=social_media

Colin McCormick, a rising Junior in BS Music Education, was selected to conduct in the Undergraduate Conducting Masterclass at the American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania Conference at Messiah College from July 30-31. Colin conducted music by Andrea Ramsay, who was present at the conference as a guest clinician. "These types of masterclasses are very formative for emerging conductors," shares Caron Daley, Director of Choral Activities. "Colin's passion for choral conducting is supremely evident in his coursework and vocal leadership in Voices of Spirit."

Photo highlights from this year's High School Vocal Workshop, Summer Band Symposium for Western PA Music Educators, Summer Jazz Experience, and Music Tech Summer Intensive.

Every summer, the Mary Pappert School of Music and City Music Center partner together to offer a variety of summer workshops and intensives for young musicians as well as professional symposiums for school music directors and ensemble leaders.

Thanks to everyone that participated and worked to make them possible!

Another example of our amazing alumni realizing their bigger goals!

The Mary Pappert School of Music is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved David Pappert, whose life and legacy we will be celebrating in the coming weeks.

Statement of President Ken Gormley on the Passing of Alumnus and Former Board Chair David Pappert 412.396.6222 - Apply for admissions to study at one of nine schools with 80 undergraduate majors at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

MPSoM Represented Around the World This Summer

In addition to a highly successful set of workshops right here on campus, the Mary Pappert School of Music continues to be expertly represented by its students, faculty, staff, and alumni all over the world.

🎵 Several students, faculty members, and alumni once again participated in the Sunflower Music Festival in Topeka, KS and the Buzzard's Bay Music Festival in Marion, MA.

🎵 Staff, current students, and alumni performed with the River City Brass Band for their Independence Day concert at Westminster College (pictured).

🎵 Dr. James Gourlay, current president of the International Tuba Euphonium Association, and several MPSOM students participated in the International Tuba Euphonium Convention at Arizona State University. The DU Tuba Euphonium Ensemble also performed at the event.

🎵 The Trumpet Ensemble performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Minneapolis, MN.

🎵 Led by Spiritan Father Jean Michel Gelmetti and Professor of Organ and Sacred Music Dr. Ann Labounsky, several Duquesne faculty and students traveled to France to visit "Sites of Spiritan Spirituality." Stops included the Museum of African Arts in Allex, Solesmes, and significant churches and cathedrals, including the cathedrals of Strasbourg, Reims, Chartres, and Mont St Michel.

🎵 Aaron White, Area Coordinator of Strings, gave a master class at the International Society of Bassists Convention in Ann Arbor, MI.

🎵 Dr. Stephen Benham, Professor of Music Education, will spend nearly three months in Eastern Europe and Africa this summer, where he continues his mission work with his own organization Music in World Cultures.

🎵 Next month, the Flute Ensemble, under the direction of Dan Parasky, will perform at the National Flute Association Conference in Phoenix, AZ, after winning an award from the Mary H. Andersen Endowment Fund.

Please join us in congratulating all of these amazing musicians!

Recent Alumnus Noah Kilgus (B.S. Music Education, 2023) has accepted a job as Elementary Music Teacher and Band Director at California Area School District.

In addition to being named one of Duquesne University’s ‘Dukes of the Last Decade,’ Allison Broaddrick (B.S. Music Therapy, 2016) was recently recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a 30 under 30 Award Winner for her work with her company Three Rivers Community Care.

Full article available to PBT subscribers: https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2023/03/06/30-under-30-allison-broaddrick.html

We are saddened to share with you the news of the passing of John Raevens, who was on the Duquesne University faculty for 49 years. John taught organ, music theory and history, and created and taught the “Enjoyment of Music” classes, enriching the lives of generations of Duquesne students. Our sincerest condolences to his family.

https://www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/john-raevens

Catholic Composer, Rich Grillone (B.M. Music Technology, 2015), is the Director of Music & Liturgy at Saint Denis Parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Rich feels blessed to lead many professional musicians on a weekly basis, but is most proud of his annual Festival of Lessons & Carols, which is comprised of 30 singers and 22 orchestra members. Alongside parish work, Rich works as a Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator. Rich has collaborated with many Catholic composers including Josh Blakesley, Ephrem Feeley, and Francesca LaRosa. He is excited to share this arrangement of the beloved carol, Away in a Manger. Rich and his wife, Michele (Burns) Grillone, also 2015 Mary Pappert grad, run Grillone Audio, LLC which assists parishes and universities in audio visual needs. Grillone Audio, LLC is a proud authorized dealer of DPA Microphones.

https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/away-in-a-manger-print-g10427

Enjoy these photos from the recent “Sites of Spiritan Spirituality” tour through France that was led by Spiritan Father, Jean Michel Gelmetti and Professor of Organ and Sacred Music, Dr. Ann Labounsky. Places and events that were only names became lived experiences for everyone that made this pilgrimage. Stops included the Museum of African Arts in Allex, Solesmes, and significant churches and cathedrals, including the cathedrals of Strasbourg, Reims, Chartres, and Mont St Michel.

The Mary Pappert School of Music takes great pleasure in welcoming Dr. Kevin Lee Sun to Duquesne’s faculty in the fall. Dr. Sun will serve as Assistant Professor of Piano and brings with him a wealth of expertise in piano performance, literature, and pedagogy, as well as significant experience with neurodiversity and inclusive learning environments.

Continue reading about Dr. Sun here: https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/news/kevin-lee-sun-hired.php

Join us for DUQ Days! DUQ Days provide an opportunity to tour campus, attend student panels, meet faculty, learn about financial aid and the admissions process for first-year, transfer and graduate education at DU.

Stephanie Ann Barth (B.M. Performance, 2015) wrote a book entitled "Mildred Andrews Boggs—Oklahoma’s First Lady of the Organ" that has been published and is available here: https://theleupoldfoundation.org/product/barth-stephanie-a-mildred-andrews-boggs-oklahomas-first-lady-of-the-organ/

Assistant Professor of Musicianship, Dr. Paul Miller, recently recorded an album titled "The Undiscovered Viola d'Amore" which will be released on the Centaur label later this year and includes many newly discovered pieces from the 17th and 19th centuries.

Summer Music Series kicks off today with the Music Tech Intensive and Summer Jazz Experience. Can’t wait to see everyone!

In July we are looking forward to the Summer Band Symposium for Western Pennsylvania Music Educators as well as the High School Vocal Workshop. You can learn more about these programs at https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/city-music-center/summer-music-series.php

SAVE THE DATES! The Music on the Bluff Series is back for the 2023–2024 season with four more concerts featuring the works of Chopin and Schumann.

The series kicks off on Sunday, August 27, followed by concerts on September 17, October 15, and January 21, 2024. Tickets go on sale later this summer, so stay tuned to duq.edu/BluffSeries!

Percussion Area Coordinator Eliseo Rael won an Emmy Award at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Award Ceremony for his percussion quartet's recording of Spiral.

Read more here: https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/news/rael-release.php

Tomorrow is the deadline to register for the 2023 Summer Band Symposium for Western PA Music Educators. Visit duq.edu/SummerMusicSeries for information and to register.

Thomas Carsecka (B.M. Music Technology, 2004; M.M. Music Tech, 2016; Ed.D. Instructional Technology and Leadership, 2023), Director of Music Admissions, successfully defended his dissertation "Designing Online University Music Auditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Understanding the Influence of Social Presence and Relational Trust in Prospective Music Student Enrollment" and received his Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Leadership from Duquesne on May 6.

Earlier this month, 69 Mary Pappert School of Music students graduated. It is exciting to see what amazing things await them! For many a job or further education - at Duquesne or around the world - is already lined up. We are proud of every one of these young musicians!