Mary Pappert School of Music

📣 Last call for band directors and choral educators! Register by Monday, June 15 for this summer's professional development activities 🌞

Elevate your career with our summer offerings, including workshops, networking events, career fairs, certificate programs, counseling services, and continuing education courses. Act 48 credit hours are available for both programs.

Monday, June 29 – Choral Kaleidoscope returns in 2026! This one-day professional development workshop for choral educators will feature inspiring sessions on eurhythmics, vocal pedagogy, conducting technique, and repertoire programming.

A pre-workshop conducting masterclass will be offered on Sunday evening, June 28.

✅ Register now! https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=c660e0dc-2451-4e6a-abc8-f914cf37acab

Wednesday, July 1 – The fifth annual Summer Band Symposium for school educators and community ensemble directors features Dr. Emily Threinen, Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities; two commissions (Band by Randall Standridge, Percussion Ensemble by Chad Heiny); and a special guest-soloist session with James Nova, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

✅ Register now! https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=775c5c2f-96a4-4f0d-905d-d482e38fd919

Student Spotlight

Pianist Maikol Pérez Gómez (rising junior, B.M. Performance), student of Dr. Kevin Lee Sun, has been announced as the Phillip Bianco Memorial Scholarship winner of the annual Keynotes Music Scholarship Competition. Open to undergraduate and graduate music students residing in Pennsylvania, the competition was held on May 9 at Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh. Maikol's performance featured works by Rameau, Mozart, Scriabin, and Lowell Liebermann, and he was awarded $1,500 for his artistry.

🎷 We are pleased to present the 5th annual Summer Band Symposium for Western PA Music Educators. 🥁

🗓️ Wednesday, July 1

Designed for elementary, middle, and high school band directors, this one-day event provides a forum for professional development, an opportunity to engage band colleagues within and across school districts, and dedicated time to review the latest band repertoire from Grades .5 to 5.

Our featured clinician for the 2026 Symposium is Dr. Emily Threinen, Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

✅ Learn more and register here: https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=775c5c2f-96a4-4f0d-905d-d482e38fd919

Today, we remember Joe “Handyman” Negri.

For 47 years, Joe taught at the Mary Pappert School of Music, helping students become not only better musicians, but better people. A world-class jazz guitarist, beloved television personality, mentor, and educator, he founded Duquesne’s jazz guitar program in 1973 and inspired generations of students through his artistry, kindness, and generosity.

He believed that excellence and humility belonged together and that teaching was about more than technique. It was about helping students discover who they could become.

His influence continues to live on through the students, alumni, colleagues, and musicians whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable career. Future generations of students will continue to benefit from the opportunities he helped create through the Joe Negri Jazz Guitar Endowed Scholarship and the Joe Negri Guitar Legends Studio, ensuring that his passion for music and education remains part of the Mary Pappert School of Music for years to come.

We invite you to read our tribute to Joe's extraordinary life and legacy:

https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/news/in-memoriam-negri.php

“Doing two things that are so different drives you to understand each subject on its own terms. That skill has been incredibly valuable,” shares Gabe Pecar. He graduated from Duquesne earlier this month with two bachelor's degrees – one in physics, the other in music.

“Despite them not being closely connected in practice, I feel very passionate about both fields, and that’s what led me to study them closely.” Thanks to WPXI-TV Pittsburgh for sharing Gabe's story and accomplishments. Bravo!

Duquesne University student graduates with 2 distinct degrees on same day One Duquesne University student crossed the graduation stage not once but twice on Saturday, earning bachelor's degrees in distinct disciplines.

🎹 Hey high school pianists! Have you checked out our Summer Piano Workshop yet? ☀️

🗓️ June 22 – June 26 at the Mary Pappert School of Music

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to work with our distinguished piano faculty. The workshop offers a variety of expert instruction including 1-on-1 private piano lessons, peer observation in group class environment, sight-reading sessions, and master classes, as well as an opportunity to experience the art of collaborative piano. The week will conclude with a final recital featuring performances by all participants celebrating their achievements.

Don't wait! Registration closes June 1.

✅ Everything you need to know: https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=4eed9bba-13ed-4c09-b781-ff19acd7a3f6

Alumni Accomplishment

The Montgomery County Concert Band, directed by Charles Neidhardt (BS Music Education ‘69) recently performed in Towson, MD at the National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands, and at the annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, at the Kalahari Resort.

We celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 9, recognizing students across undergraduate and graduate programs for their academic, artistic, and professional achievements.

As part of this year’s celebration, the MPSoM also recognized distinguished composer, educator and alumnus Samuel R. Hazo with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

During his remarks to graduates, Hazo spoke about resilience, growth and the challenges graduates will face throughout their careers, encouraging students to embrace adversity as part of both artistic and personal development. “When you are handed dissonances throughout your life, compose them into what they need to be, and be grateful you were given the opportunity.”

Read the full recap of this year's commencement here: https://duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/news/2026-commencement.php

🎶 Attention high school singers who love to sing and are considering careers in music! 🎭

🗓️ Check out our High School Vocal Workshop, running from June 22 – June 26

Elevate your singing in a week-long course exploring all aspects of the vocal arts surrounded by other creative and enthusiastic musicians. Registration closes Sunday, June 1, 2026.

✅ Learn more and register now: https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=b584003f-172a-4fc7-bbf8-a2372f2ab994

🎼 Choral educators, don't miss your chance to attend this year's Choral Kaleidoscope!

🗓️ Taking place Monday, June 29, this one-day professional development workshop will feature inspiring sessions on eurhythmics, vocal pedagogy, conducting technique, and repertoire programming.

A pre-workshop conducting masterclass will be offered on Sunday, June 28.

✅ Learn more and register here: https://apply.duq.edu/register/?id=c660e0dc-2451-4e6a-abc8-f914cf37acab