Building Connections for Life

A degree in music performance provides you with the real-world experiences you need to succeed in a competitive and demanding professional environment. Your teachers are award-winning soloists and recording artists, professional music directors, members of military ensembles, composers, and arrangers. Simply put, you will connect and network with the best artist-teachers in the music industry from New York to LA, from Beijing to Sydney, and across Europe. 

Immerse yourself in Pittsburgh's thriving arts culture. In addition to university concerts and events, many students perform regularly in the tri-state region with ensembles such as the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet and Opera Orchestras, Pittsburgh Camerata, Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choirs, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, and numerous other ensembles in the region. We even have a Hire a Musician program that connects you with local employers and venues, so you can take your performance expertise beyond the classroom and into the field, allowing you to make money while sharpening your entrepreneurial skills.

Degrees & Programs

At the Mary Pappert School of Music, you have a wide variety of horizon-expanding performance degrees and programs to choose from at both undergraduate and graduate levels. We will help you find the right path for your bigger goals.

A singer performing in front of a piano.

Undergraduate

You've got a love for music. Our Bachelor of Music in Performance sets the stage for you to go anywhere.

A singer performs on stage.

Graduate

You've laid the groundwork. Now, refine your skills with a Master of Music in Performance.

Instrumentalists perform together.

Post-Graduate

You've got the foundation. You've honed your technique. Now, dive even deeper with an Artist Diploma.

Jazz Belongs In Your Story

Our unique jazz curriculum integrates foundational training in the classical tradition with private instruction and coursework in jazz idioms.

Experience Being a Performance Major

Music Facilities

In addition to classroom spaces, the Mary Pappert School of Music has a variety of performance, rehearsal, and practice facilities available for use. PNC Recital Hall and the Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation are two of the primary performances spaces in our building. In addition, some larger-scale events are held in other University spaces, including the Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom in the University's Power Center, the Student Union Ballroom, and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, to name a few. 

Explore Our Facilities

Applied Areas

Regardless of your intended degree program, you will continue to hone your skills as a performer and musician. In addition to your one-on-one lessons with our award-winning faculty, you will have opportunities to perform with our ensembles as well as in solo or chamber recitals. Learn more about each of our applied instrumental and vocal areas below:

The 91勛圖厙 Symphony Orchestra performs on stage.

Ensembles

91勛圖厙's ensembles will provide you with the finest university-level performing experiences available, preparing you for your career as a professional musician. As a member, you will perform on campus, as well as at some of the best venues for music in the city.

Upcoming Events

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Student Recital: Josef Mueller, violin

From the studio of Rachel Stegeman.

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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Student Recital: Brian Salipante, guitar

From the studio of Eric Susoeff.

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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Student Recital: Abigail Drezewski and Nora Keleschenyi, voice

From the studios of Meghan Althouse and Kelley DeFade.

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
People gathered together in a drum circle.

Full Spectrum - Session 1: Exploring Sound and Rhythm

We will feature an instrument petting zoo and lead participants in a community drum circle. Engage in call and response drumming and improvisation. Our current students will lead sing-alongs, offer demonstrations on instruments, and play musical games with participants.

Participants will also have th

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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Student Recital: Tabitha Sheyko, violin

From the studio of Rachel Stegeman.

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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Student Recital: Luke Leone, voice

From the studio of Brent Weber.

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  • Mt Lebanon Lutheran Church

 

Performance Department

As a student at the Mary Pappert School of Music, you study with professors internationally acclaimed in their fields.

Caron Daley

Performance Department Chair

Caron Daley smiling in front of trees

Thomas Kikta

Guitar Area Coordinator

Man in front of a brick wall with a classical guitar.

Kevin Lee Sun

Keyboard Area Coordinator

smiling person in front of wall

Eliseo Rael

Percussion Area Coordinator

Man holds timpani sticks.

Aaron White

String Area Coordinator

Man poses with a double bass.

Ron Samuels

Woodwind Area Coordinator

Man poses with a clarinet.

Jeff Bush

Jazz Area Coordinator

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Alumni Perspective

man playing saxophone

I will always be grateful for my education at the Mary Pappert School of Music. It was such a rich environment with world-class teachers who were connected to the current scene and present on a regular basis to share their knowledge about the music industry. It's very rare to find teachers like this who excel in both the performance and academic worlds.

Darryl Yokley B.M. Performance, 2003