Mary Pappert School of Music

The Mary Pappert School of Music building at Duquesne University.

The Mary Pappert School of Music is one of the ten degree-granting divisions that comprise Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

History

The Pappert School of Music was founded in 1926, offering a Bachelor of Music degree. The Bachelor in Music Education program was added in 1930. The building which houses the school was dedicated on 29 April 1967. To commemorate the event, eminent pianist Van Cliburn was awarded an honorary degree. The school has been NASM-accredited since 1966. The School of Music became an all-Steinway institution in 2001^[1] and is also an "all-Fender" school.^[2]

The current collegiate enrollment is approximately 350, and there are about 500 non-credit music students studying in the City Music Center, an elementary through high school program hosted by the school.

Programs offered

The School of Music confers four different bachelor degrees, in Performance, Music Technology, Music Education, and Music Therapy. Graduate programs include master degrees in Performance, Theory/Composition, Sacred Music, Music Technology, and Music Education, as well as an Artist Diploma. In addition to undergraduate and graduate programs, post-baccalaureate certification is offered in Music Education and Music Therapy.

Award Winning Ensembles

The Mary Pappert School of Music offers the following large ensembles:

• Symphony Orchestra
• Wind Symphony
• Symphony Band
• The Voices of Spirit
• Men's Chorale
• Jazz Ensemble

Additionally, all university students interested in music are invited to perform with the Dukes Pep Band at football and basketball games.

Notable faculty

• Claudia Pinza, Voice
• David Allen Wehr, Piano, Distinguished Professor
• Marylene Gingras-Roy, Viola
• Adam Liu, Cello
• Jeffrey Turner, Double Bass and Director of Orchestral Activities
• Gretchen van Hoesen, Harp
• Damian Bursill-Hall, Flute
• Rhian Kenny, Flute
• Jenny Connor, Flute
• Ron Samuels, Clarinet
• George Vosburgh, Trumpet
• Murray Crewe, Bass Trombone
• James Houlik, Classical Saxophone and Performance Chair
• David Stock, Composer-in-Residence
• Patrick Burke, Composition
• David Cutler, Director of Musicianship
• Mike Tomaro, Jazz Composition/Arranging and Director of Jazz Studies
• Sean Jones, Jazz Trumpet
• Joe Negri, Jazz Guitar

Notable Alumni

• Van Cliburn - (honorary)
• Joseph Carl Breil – The first person to compose a score specifically for a motion picture
• Gene Forrell – Composer and conductor
• Sammy Nestico – Prolific and well-known composer and arranger of big band music
• William Schultz (1950)^[3] – President and CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
• Bobby Vinton (graduated 1956; honorary Doctorate in Music in 1978)^[3] – "The Polish Prince"; called the all-time most successful love singer of the Rock era.
• Michael Bross – Music composer on popular video games (Oddworld, Ratchet and Clank, etc.).
• H. Robert Reynolds, conductor (honorary)
• Chad Winkler, 4th trumpet, PSO

Administration

The dean of the school is Dr. Edward Kocher.

References

• Undergraduate Catalog 2007-2008. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Duquesne University. p. 196. 

1. ^ http://www.music.duq.edu/piano.html
2. ^ http://www.music.duq.edu/fac.html
3. ^ ^{a b} "Prominent Alumni". Duquesne University, GradSource Profile. The El Group. http://www.gradsource.com/profile.cfm?ArtID=22188. Retrieved May 20, 2007. 

External links

• The Mary Pappert School of Music website
• City Music Center of Duquesne University website