Mary Pappert School of Music

09/10/2026

Alumni Accomplishments

This summer, cellist Alyssa Baljunas (B.M. Performance, 2024) toured for six weeks with the legendary film composer Hans Zimmer. Dubbed "The World of Hans Zimmer," this touring show bring some of the best-known orchestral film music out of the studio and onto the road. Already busy performing professionally, Alyssa plans to pursue graduate cello studies soon.

09/09/2026

Alumni Accomplishments

Congratulations to James Benoit (Artist Diploma, 2014) on his appointment as Assistant Principal Timpani and Section Percussion of the San Francisco Symphony! He has also held positions with the Forth Worth, Seattle, and Pittsburgh Symphonies and we've enjoyed having him back as a member of the MPSoM percussion faculty.

09/08/2026

This Week at the Mary Pappert School of Music

Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – Faculty Recital: Dr. Kevin Lee Sun "Look to This Day" | PNC Recital Hall
Free Admission

Friday, 7:30 p.m. – Guest Artist Recital: Happy Dog Duo | PNC Recital Hall
Free Admission

Sunday, 3:00 p.m. – Brahms on the Bluff: Concert I "Hungarian Dance Fever" | PNC Recital Hall
$20 Admission
Live Stream at duq.edu/IBN

For information and events, go to duq.edu/MusicEvents

09/06/2026

Faculty Feature

Dr. Kevin Lee Sun (Assistant Professor of Piano) has been awarded a YoungArts Creative Microgrant to fund his upcoming EP recording project. The EP, "Songs of Becoming," will present a 30-minute, six-song cycle for soprano and piano. The song cycle was composed in 2024 by Dr. Daniel De Togni, who came to Duquesne in February 2026 to perform with Dr. Sun and to work with students as composer-in-residence. Dr. De Togni's "Songs of Becoming" was recognized with the 2025 American Prize Charles Ives Award in Vocal Chamber Music, Second Place.

The EP will be produced by Matthew Sterbenz (BM Music Technology '25, piano), and Dr. Sun's soprano collaborator will be Wallis Lucas.

In advance of the EP release, listeners can enjoy a live performance of "Songs of Becoming" by Ms. Lucas and Dr. Sun at Dr. Sun's upcoming faculty recital on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The recital will be at 7:30pm in PNC Recital Hall. It will include another piece by Dr. De Togni and two solo piano pieces by Hyo-shin Na. Admission is free, with no tickets required.

09/04/2026

We are excited for the inauguration of Dr. David Dausey as Duquesne University president!

Be sure to listen for the Voices of Spirit and Wind Ensemble performing throughout the ceremony, taking place Thursday, September 17, at 1 p.m.

Learn about Dr. David Dausey's leadership as Duquesne University's 14th President and share your ideas for shaping the future together.

09/01/2026

Music students, have you signed up for the Pittsburgh Symphony's PSO Go or PSO Go+ yet? The GRAMMY-winning orchestra which performs just blocks from campus is filled with faculty members and alumni from the MPSoM.

We're thrilled the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is offering these programs that enable our students to witness top-tier music making on a regular basis throughout their studies.

08/27/2026

The 2026–27 academic year is officially underway! 🎶

Classes began this past Monday, and we kicked things off together at our annual Convocation, complete with a Mary Pappert School of Music “school selfie.”

This photo feels especially fitting as we celebrate our 100th anniversary, with students proudly sporting their MPSOM centennial blue. It was a joyful way to begin a milestone year, surrounded by the students, faculty and staff who make this community what it is.

We’re off to a great start, and we can’t wait to see what the year ahead brings. Here’s to new music, new ideas, new friendships and an unforgettable 100th year at the Mary Pappert School of Music! 🎉🎵

08/26/2026

🎹 PianoFest at Duquesne is coming up!

We're excited to kick off this year's concert series with three piano-focused events.

Tue., Sep. 8, at 7:30 p.m. – Dr. Kevin Lee Sun's faculty recital, "Look to This Day" | PNC Recital Hall. Free Admission

Fri., Sep. 11 at 7:30 p.m. – Guest artist recital by the Happy Dog Piano Duo | PNC Recital Hall. Free Admission

Sun., Sep. 13 at 3:00 p.m. – "Hungarian Dance Fever," the first of this year's Brahms on the Bluff series | PNC Recital Hall. $20 Admission

More details on these performances can be found at duq.edu/MusicEvents

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