The Dean's List

Since 2002, David Allen Wehr has been the Artistic Director of the Music on the Bluff series at Duquesne University, with each season’s programming reflecting an overall theme. For the 2024–2025 edition, he polled his colleagues at the Mary Pappert School of Music—where he currently serves as Dean—for their favorite works to perform and has curated a series of concerts called The Dean’s List from their choices. Programs will feature a wide variety of musical styles and colors from Baroque to Gershwin to tango, with the first appearance of the tuba and classical guitar on the Bluff series. Faculty from the Mary Pappert School of Music will be joined by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony and favorite guest artists Sari Gruber, Barbara Nissman, Clancy Newman, Cynthia Raim, and Randall Scarlata will return.

All concerts will be preceded by a pre-concert discussion beginning 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the concert.

Admission Information

Upcoming Bluff Series Events

Graphic featuring a silhouette of a piano and pianist in front of a building.

The Dean's List - Concert III: The Voice(s)

Pre-concert Discussion with Dr. Benjamin Binder at 2:30 p.m.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event
Graphic featuring a silhouette of a piano and pianist in front of a building.

The Dean's List - Concert IV: Prokofieff Plus

Pre-concert Discussion with Barbara Nissman at 7:00 p.m.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event

Admission to the Bluff Series

All Music on the Bluff concerts are held in PNC Recital Hall, located on the first floor of the Mary Pappert School of Music.

Season passes may be purchased on or before the first concert of each series, or individual concert admission may be purchased. (Season pass holders are eligible to renew their same seat each year before admission goes on sale to the general public.)

Reserve Your Seats

Purchase a new season pass - $80 per seat (plus fees)
Purchase individual concerts - $20 per seat (plus fees)

Parking

Parking is available in the Forbes Avenue Parking Garage. You may also park in the Locust Street Parking Garage by crossing over on the seventh floor of the Forbes Avenue Parking Garage (only lease holders may enter at the Locust Garage entrance). In the event that a higher event rate is enforced during a Bluff Series concert, the School of Music will provide patrons an Affiliated Rate Ticket, which will reduce the parking rate to standard weekend/evening rate.

More Parking Information

Bluff Series Email List

Subscribe to the Bluff Series email list to get all Bluff Series information including admission specifics, on-sale dates, and concert details.

Subscribe Now

Questions About Attending a Bluff Series Concert?

We're always happy to help. Please call during regular business hours or email us anytime.

Concert Information

Inside the Bluff Series

Prior to each concert this year, David Allen Wehr will talk on stage with one of the concert's performers about the music the you will hear. This inside look at the repertoire will provide a deeper understanding of the music, how and why the composer chose to write what they wrote, and even give you a peek inside the preparation our musicians go through prior to the concert.

Livestream Information

This year, we will be using our IEMMA Broadcast Network (Institute of Entertainment, Music, and Media Arts) to livestream each of the Bluff Series concerts and their preceding pre-concert talks. To watch, click the button below 30 minutes prior to each concert in the series.

Tune in to the Livestream

Meet & Greet the Artists

After each performance, you are invited to join us in the PNC Recital Hall Lobby to meet and talk with our amazing musicians. Light refreshments will be served.

David Allen Wehr

Artistic Director

David Allen Wehr serves as the Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music, where he holds the Jack W. Geltz Distinguished Piano Chair. Noted for his traversal of the complete Beethoven Sonata Cycle, Wehr has toured in over 30 countries, performing in such venues as London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Barbican Centre (with the London Symphony), Wigmore Hall (with the Sartory Trio), the Salle Gaveau in Paris, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and Carnegie Hall in New York. Wehr’s discography includes over 20 albums released by Connoisseur Society, Chandos, Equilibri, and Gega. For more information, visit davidallenwehr.com.

David Allen Wehr plays a piano.

Full Biography

Virtual Music on the Bluff

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Beethoven - Piano Sonata #14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 "Moonlight"

David Allen Wehr performs Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata. Piano Sonata #14 in C-Sharp Minor, Quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2 "Moonlight"

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Beethoven - Piano Sonata #31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110

David Allen Wehr performs Beethoven's Piano Sonata, Op. 110. Piano Sonata #31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Beethoven - Piano Sonata #23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"

David Allen Wehr performs Beethoven's "Appassionata." Piano Sonata #23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Debussy - Sonata for Cello and Piano

Performed by: Adam Liu, cello David Allen Wehr, piano

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Debussy - Première Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Piano

Professor of Clarinet, Ron Samuels (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) performs Debussy's Première Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Piano with David Allen Wehr.

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Moszkowski - 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."

Graphic that reads Virtual Music on the Bluff, David Allen Wehr, Artistic Director. Features a photo of the inside of a piano and a futuristic-looking pattern.

Brahms - Sonata for Viola and Piano in F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1

Marylène Gingras-Roy and David Allen Wehr perform the Sonata for Viola and Piano in F Minor by Brahms.