Mary Pappert School of Music Centennial Celebration

A Century In the Making

For 100 years, Duquesne University's music school, now known as the Mary Pappert School of Music, has been shaping musicians who are professionals and leaders in musical culture. What began in 1926 as a small but ambitious program has grown into a vibrant community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, all connected by a shared belief in music as both an art and a calling. From rehearsal rooms to concert halls, classrooms to the healthcare settings, and recording studios to places of worship, learning here has always been rooted in care, discipline, and the idea that musical excellence and a desire to help others leads the way to success.

Today, the Mary Pappert School of Music stands as a place where students are challenged to connect historical practices with modern methods, blend the traditional with current technology, and explore their artistry, creativity, and ingenuity to the fullest extent. They are guided by dedicated and decorated faculty, challenged to explore new ideas, and encouraged to find their own voice within a supportive community.

The Celebration

In 2026, the Mary Pappert School of Music will celebrate its centennial with a series of concerts, workshops, and special events honoring a century of artistic excellence, education, and impact. Throughout the celebration, we will welcome world-famous alumni and distinguished guest artists back to campus. These events will highlight the school’s rich history while also looking forward, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and collaborative spirit that continue to define the Mary Pappert School of Music. Together, these Centennial festivities will celebrate not only where we have been, but the vibrant future we are shaping through music.

How You Can Help

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the University will host its annual Duquesne Day of Giving. On this day, you can make a gift to the Mary Pappert School of Music’s area of greatest needs area to help fund many of these visits. This gifts will also make possible a centennial-commissioned work to be premiered at Christmas at Duquesne in December 2026 as the climax of the year of celebration. And, thanks to Michael F. and Mary (Mitsch) Vogel and Jeanette Ables, every dollar up to $6,000 will be matched, so please consider donating early to help us unlock this challenge gift.

A Look Back at the Last 100 Years

Historic exterior view of the Duquesne University music building prior to renovation, showing a brick industrial structure on the Bluff with parked mid-century cars and the Pittsburgh skyline in the background.

1926–1966

The Mary Pappert School of Music traces its roots to 1926, when Duquesne University formally established a school dedicated to the study and performance of music. From the beginning, the goal was aligned with the University's mission to serve God by serving students. In practice, the School of Music has always prepared musicians not only to perform well, but to think deeply, teach thoughtfully, and serve their communities through music. In the school’s earliest years, students pursued the Bachelor of Music degree while the program continued to grow in scope and ambition. Graduate study followed soon after, reflecting an early commitment to advanced musical training and professional preparation that remains central today.

1967–2026

The Music Department was originally a part of the College of Arts, then located in the basement of Old Main. Following a couple building moves, and as enrollment and offerings expanded, the school needed space to grow. In 1967, Duquesne dedicated the building that continues to house the Mary Pappert School of Music, a former U.S. Post Office garage which was then called the "Robinson Building." This established a permanent home for classrooms, studios, rehearsal spaces, and performance halls. In 1966—just prior to the dedication of the new building—the School earned accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music, affirming the strength of its curriculum and the quality of its faculty. Together, these milestones marked an important moment in the School’s development, positioning it as a respected center for music study within the University and beyond.

Exterior view of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, showing the main entrance with updated stone façade, signage, and the Genesius Theater entrance adjacent under a bright sky.

2026 and Beyond

The Mary Pappert School of Music continues to offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs designed to prepare students for meaningful, sustainable careers in music. Students study performance, music education, music therapy, composition, and music technology, combining rigorous academic work with hands-on experience. Across all programs, the focus is on close faculty mentorship, real-world application, and developing musicians who are prepared to lead, collaborate, and serve through their art.

Celebrating a Milestone

As the we look toward the next 100 years, the focus remains on the people who carry the work forward. Alumni are performing, teaching, recording, producing, researching, healing, and leading in communities across the country and around the world, building meaningful careers shaped by the skills and values developed right here on the Bluff.

With a continued commitment to student success, artistic growth, and service through music, the 2026–2027 academic year will be a celebration of the last century and a symbol of a commitment to the next chapter of educating musicians who are ready not only to reach their bigger goals, but to make a lasting impact in their communities and around the globe.