The Duquesne Choirs maintain an extensive performance agenda focused on artistic excellence, community partnership, and service to the University. Under the leadership of Dr. Caron Daley since 2015, the choirs perform throughout Pittsburgh and the region, including recent collaborations with the River City Brass Band, Arsenal Duo, Kassia Ensemble, and Pittsburgh Youth Chorus. Each Christmas, the choirs join forces with the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble for Christmas at Duquesne, the School’s largest public performance. The Duquesne Choirs are open to all undergraduate and graduate music majors and to non-music majors with choral experience.
Voices of Spirit
Voices of Spirit, the university’s chamber and touring choir, is regularly invited to perform off-campus, including 2016 and 2022 performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, tours in 2017 (Pennsylvania), 2018 (New York), and 2020 (Ontario and Québec), and recent appearances in Johnstown, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, and Philadelphia. In 2018, the choir served as ensemble-in-residence for the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Conference Conducting Masterclasses. In 2019, Voices of Spirit performed Canadian Music at the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference (College Park, Maryland) and in 2023, I will be your Refuge at the National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conference (Rochester, NY). In November 2024, Voices of Spirit will perform Boundless Voices at the College Music Society National Conference in Washington, D.C. The choir’s first full-length album, “Wake up my Spirit”, celebrates the Spiritan traditions of Duquesne University, and will be available on digital channels in October 2024.
Pappert Chorale
Pappert Chorale, the university’s symphonic choir, represents students in all music degree programs and majors from across the university. The choir performs repertoire from a wide range of historical periods and musical styles and is regularly featured on Pittsburgh area concert series. Recent performance highlights include Poulenc’s Gloria (2024) and Hailstork’s I will lift up mine eyes (2022) with the Duquesne University Orchestra and Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass with Duquesne’s jazz program (2023).
