Mary Pappert School of Music

08/17/2026

Full series renewals for Brahms on the Bluff are now open for last year's subscribers!

New season passes and single concert sales begin in one week, on Monday, August 24.

Learn more: duq.edu/BluffSeries

08/13/2026

Brahms on the Bluff kicks off in exactly one month!

If you were a series subscriber last year, you can renew your seats beginning Monday, August 17. New season passes and individual seat reservations begin on Monday, August 24.

Everything you need to know can be found here: duq.edu/BluffSeries

08/10/2026

📚 Get Ready for Fall 🍂

In addition to a great education, Pittsburgh gives you access to culture, legendary sports, great neighborhoods, a world-class food scene, thriving industry and jobs, and much more.

Music students especially benefit from Duquesne's proximity to the Cultural District, home to Downtown Pittsburgh's dynamic art and entertainment scene.

Get to know our city!
https://duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/our-campus/our-pittsburgh-community.php

07/27/2026

Professor emerita Lynn Purse's backyard garden was featured in Garden Conservancy Open Garden Days in June, one of only three in the Pittsburgh area.

KDKA Talk Pittsburgh and TribLive published a video and article feature, respectively, on Purse and dug into some of the connections she draws on between her musical and horticultural pursuits. She finds that "orchestrating a garden is very much like orchestrating a piece of music."



Watch the video here and see the comments below for a link to read the article

Boaz checks out Lynn Purse's garden. For video licensing inquiri...

07/24/2026

📚 Get Ready for Fall 🍂

Life at Duquesne University is full of annual traditions that connect music students with their fellow Dukes on the Bluff, past, present, and future.

From orientation to late-night breakfast (just before final exams), learn more about the shared experiences you'll have throughout the year here: https://www.duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/traditions.php

07/20/2026

Earlier this summer we hosted seven week-long workshops and intensives for high-school students.

In collaboration with the City Music Center of Duquesne University, our annual summer music series has offerings geared toward aspiring singers, instrumentalists, as well as those interested in music recording and engineering. Students came to campus to sharpen their crafts and gain valuable experience, working with members of our faculty on campus.

Thanks to everyone who made these weeks possible!

07/19/2026

This summer, eight students from the Mary Pappert School of Music traveled to Ireland for the inaugural 2026 Maymester: Musical Ireland study abroad program. During this three-week experience, students explored Ireland’s rich music, history, and culture through academic coursework, experiential learning activities, and visits to some of the country’s most iconic attractions.

Opportunities like this one enhance the learning you do on campus with new possibilities and perspectives.

Read more from Dr. Joseph Sheehan, who accompanied the students on this trip, here: https://www.duq.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/music/news/maymester-musical-ireland.php

07/16/2026

Take a look back at this summer's professional development workshops; in the past month we presented the fifth annual Summer Band Symposium as well as the return of Choral Kaleidoscope.

Vocal and instrumental music educators flocked to our campus for packed days covering technique, musicianship, pedagogy, repertoire, and networking.

Thanks to all of the faculty and guest artists/clinicians who made these workshops a success!

07/15/2026

Bluff Series Returns This Fall with Brahms on the Bluff

Johannes Brahms returns to the Bluff for four concerts of lush musical Romanticism. For the 24th season, faculty members from Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music share the stage for performances of this beloved composer’s chamber music with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and international guest artists. Pre-concert conversations before each concert give a look backstage at the performers and the music, and Artistic Director David Allen Wehr offers commentary throughout each program to enhance and deepen the listening experience.

More information can be found at duq.edu/BluffSeries