Symphony Orchestra

The Duquesne Symphony Orchestra is a central element of The Mary Pappert School of Music's curriculum. The orchestral program is integral to the basic musicianship training that all instrumentalists in every degree program receive at Duquesne, in addition to developing the understanding, technique, and discipline required of the professional orchestral musician.

Orchestra members rehearse three times each week and also attend classes in orchestral excerpts and orchestra repertoire classes for brass, percussion, woodwind, and string sections.

The Symphony Orchestra regularly performs in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall, renowned for its architectural beauty. In the course of a typical school year, the Symphony Orchestra performs 4–6 concerts including major works from the standard orchestral repertoire and covers a broad and diverse range of music from the Baroque to the present day. Soloists with the orchestra frequently include principal players from the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Chamber Orchestra

Open to select graduate and undergraduate performance majors, the chamber orchestra is designed to study and perform unique and challenging repertoire that the Duquesne Symphony would not typically play.

More portable than the full orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra often engages with the Pittsburgh community more directly by performing in locations such as the Hillman Cancer Center and the Jewish Community Center, among others.

Orchestra Leadership

Meet the people behind the music.

Daniel Meyer

Director of Orchestral Activities

Headshot of Daniel Meyer in a tuxedo.

Upcoming Orchestra Events

Christmas at Duquesne graphic with a candle in front of a snowy window.

Christmas at Duquesne

Join us for our annual Christmas concert.Musicians: Voices of Spirit and Pappert Chorale Wind...

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  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
More About This Event
Christmas at Duquesne graphic with a candle in front of a snowy window.

Christmas at Duquesne

Join us for our annual Christmas concert.Musicians: Voices of Spirit and Pappert Chorale Wind...

  • -
  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
More About This Event
A cellist smiles while performing.

Duquesne Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Meyer, Director of Orchestral ActivitiesAdmission$10 Suggested Donation (at the...

  • -
  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
More About This Event
A cellist smiles while performing.

Duquesne Symphony Orchestra & Choirs

Daniel Meyer, Director of Orchestral ActivitiesCaron Daley, Director of Choral ActivitiesAdmission$10...

  • -
  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
More About This Event

Duquesne - Pittsburgh Connection

On a Friday night, after class, you can go with your friends and hear the Pittsburgh Symphony and it's only a short walk away. You get to see your teachers and the other faculty that you work with throughout the week—now it's your turn to watch them do their thing.

Emily RickardM.M. Performance, 2019

As one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic performance spaces, Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland possesses a rich history of famous artists who have graced its stage.  From the Pittsburgh Symphony to groups like the Juilliard Quartet, the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra calls this space home, capitalizing on the rich, vibrant acoustics and architectural beauty of this renowned concert hall.

Daniel MeyerDirector of Orchestral Activities