Why Strings at Duquesne?
The string program at Duquesne emphasizes your complete artistic and professional development as a musician, addressing not only technical skills, but nurturing your creativity as well. Make your mark in our orchestras and chamber groups as you learn from a world-class faculty, many of which are members of the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Our flexible curriculum empowers you to shape your own music pathway with your Faculty Advisor and Student Success Coach. Match your love for strings with any of our degree programs while balancing your performance commitments and academics.
World Class Faculty & Award-Winning Ensembles
In addition to studying with master performers and teachers, you will also have the opportunity to perform in award-winning ensembles including orchestral, wind, choral, and jazz ensembles. Chamber music also plays a very important role in our students’ education. View strings events.
Our Alumni Succeed
Graduates of the Mary Pappert School of Music can be seen performing in the nation’s top professional performing ensembles such the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, and various military bands in Washington, DC.
Our success stories include students winning positions in the Los Angeles, Houston, Indianapolis, Portland, Detroit, Naples, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh Symphonies. Our string alumni also include educators throughout the country in K–12 public and private schools, professors at major universities, as well as recording artists and technicians in award-winning studios in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles.
How can I get involved?
In addition to choosing a degree pathway, all music majors have a primary instrumental identity. Music majors that want to fully incorporate string studies into their curriculum must select one of the instrumental options below when applying:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Classical Guitar
- Harp
Not majoring in music? Any Duquesne student can participate in orchestral and chamber ensembles regardless of major. Learn more about your music opportunities as a non-major.
See Yourself Here
Getting to be in the bass studio has been something I've really enjoyed during my time at Duquesne; it's allowed me to play in both the jazz and orchestral ensembles the school offers. I think my favorite part of it though has been my lessons with my longtime teacher, professor Paul Thompson. He has helped me find the discipline and motivation needed to succeed and grow as a musician, which has echoed into all other aspects of my life.
Explore Your Musical Future
If you're looking for that school that's the perfect fit, you've found the right place. Take the next step and start your application today!
Undergrad Music Admissions
Our flexible curriculum empowers you to shape your own music pathway with your Faculty Advisor and Student Success Coach. Auditions are customized depending on your chosen degree and primary instrument. All fully admitted music majors are automatically considered for scholarships and awards. We are proud to offer highly competitive Undergraduate Audition and Enhancement Awards that can cover up to 100% of tuition.
Graduate Music Admissions
Match your love for music with any of our degree programs while balancing your performance commitments and academics. Auditions are customized depending on your chosen degree and primary instrument. All fully admitted graduate students are automatically considered for scholarships and awards. We are proud to offer highly competitive Graduate Performance Awards and Assistantships that can cover up to 100% of tuition.
String Facilities
Dedicated in 2001, the PNC Recital Hall provides an intimate performance space for faculty and student recitals, as well as small chamber group performances, and comfortably seats an audience of 250. The stage is large enough to accommodate a small orchestra, and the live acoustics make it ideal for chamber music and solo performance. The hall is equipped with two Model D nine-foot Steinway concert grand pianos that are among the finest in the Pittsburgh region.
Upcoming String Events
Duquesne Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Meyer, Director of Orchestral Activities
Brahms on the Bluff: Concert II - Lullaby
David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director
Pre-concert Discussion with Ron Samuels at 2:30 p.m.
String Preview Day
Experience what it’s like to be a college musician.
Brahms on the Bluff: Concert III - The Three Sonatas for Violin and Piano
David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director
Pre-concert Discussion with Nicole Vilkner at 2:30 p.m.
Brahms on the Bluff: Concert IV - Before the Beard
David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director
Pre-concert Discussion with Barbara Nissman at 2:30 p.m.
Strings Videos
Moszkowski's Suite for Two Violins and Piano
Violinists Charles and Rachel Stegeman, along with pianist David Allen Wehr perform Moriz Moszkowski's "Suite for Two Violins and Piano."
Did You Know?
All applicants qualify for a free lesson with our faculty to help them prepare for the live audition and submit a quality portfolio. Use the time to connect with a teacher and experience our top-rate private instruction for yourself.
Professor of Violin; Martin Hehir, C.S.Sp Endowed Chair in Scholarly Excellence; Concertmaster,
Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestras Adjunct Professor of Violin; Concertmaster, Wheeling and Youngstown Symphony Orchestras Adjunct Professor of Viola; Acting Assistant Principal Viola, Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra Adjunct Professor of Cello; Assistant Principal Cello, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Adjunct Professor of Jazz Bass; Bass, Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Adjunct Professor of Double Bass, String Area Coordinator; Bass, Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra Adjunct Professor of Harp; Principal Harp, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Adjunct Professor of Classical GuitarViolin Faculty
Charles Stegeman
Rachel Stegeman
Viola Faculty
Marylène Gingras-Roy
Cello Faculty
Adam Liu
Bass Faculty
Paul Thompson
Aaron White
Harp Faculty
Gretchen Van Hoesen
Classical Guitar Faculty
Ben Meyer