Joe Negri Jazz Guitar Award
This endowed award provides scholarship support to Duquesne University students enrolled as undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking students in the Mary Pappert School of Music who study jazz guitar and have demonstrated musical and academic merit.
2021 Recipient
Mila Shadel - Bachelor of Music in Performance, Guitar
"Receiving this award gave me the confidence to continue on my musical journey. It also assured me that the faculty at MPSOM really supported me and wanted me to succeed, which inspired me to keep working hard to reach my musical goals."
See Mila perform a composition of her own.
Nicholas Jordanoff Jazz Trumpet Award
Established by Christine Jordanoff and others in memory of the late Nicholas Jordanoff, this endowed award provides scholarship support to students enrolled in the Mary Pappert School of Music studying jazz trumpet and have demonstrated academic and musical merit.
2021 Recipient
Thomas Houghton, III - Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Trumpet
"As someone from a low-income community, attending a music school like the Mary Pappert School of Music is something that is usually unattainable for someone like me. The Nick Jordanoff Jazz Trumpet Scholarship was a much-needed boost in my financial aid package that has enabled me to attend classes here and transformed my musical and educational skills, and for that, I will be eternally grateful!"
See Thomas solo with the Duquesne University Jazz Ensemble.
Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award/ J. Cornetti Tucci Award for Excellence
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient demonstrates the highest level of academic and musical accomplishment and embodies the qualities of leadership and citizenship. Selected by the music faculty, the Award is approximately $4,000 which is applied to tuition costs during the recipient's senior year.
The J. (Josephine) Cornetti Tucci award for excellence in piano was established in 1983. It is presented annually to either an outstanding junior or senior applied piano major.
2021 Recipient
Greta Zewe - Bachelor of Science in Music Technology (Sound Recording track)
"These scholarships have allowed me to invest more in audio equipment and software to further my ability to freelance with the skills I have learned at MPSOM."
See a music video for one of Greta's compositions.
Women's Advisory Board Scholarship Competition
Since 1980, the Women's Advisory Board has raised funds for scholarships to support students of the MPSOM, and we are incredibly thankful for their efforts over the last four decades. Their support has benefited many students in that time by helping each of them offset the costs of attending Duquesne University and the Mary Pappert School of Music. This year's winner is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship.
2021 Recipient
Olivia Burik - Bachelor of Music in Performance, Cello
"Receiving this amazing award from the Women's Advisory Board has been extremely beneficial to my confidence as a performer. I am very grateful for the financial component of the award, which has aided in offsetting my undergraduate expenses."
See her competition-winning performance here.
Marguerite DePhillips Dougherty Voice Competition
Marguerite DePhillips Dougherty was born in Pittsburgh in 1929. Her interest in music, particularly opera, began as a young woman while taking voice lessons inspired by a love of Puccini's La bohème and Madama Butterfly. As an unsung patron of the arts, she quietly supported causes throughout her life, and at her death in 2015, she bequeathed a gift to Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music to support programs that benefit students pursuing careers in music, especially opera.
Each of the competition winners receives a monetary award, made possible through Dougherty's gift, as well as an "on-the-spot" award this year from judge Robert Chafin.
2021 Undergraduate Winner
Nathan Sekela - Bachelor of Music in Performance, Voice
"It was an honor to receive this award and I am so thankful for the experiences and opportunities it gave me."
See his competition-winning performance.
2021 Graduate Winner
Sariah Seare - Master of Music in Performance, Voice
"I am grateful to have received the Marguerite Dougherty award because it has increased my opportunities in the music school. Even if you don't win, it is a great way to get recognized and make professional connections. It also teaches you how to prepare and what to expect when entering competitions outside the safety of your school."
See her competition-winning performance.
Triano Endowed Woodwind Scholarship/Duquesne Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition
Established by the Anthony F. Triano Trust, up to four annual awards of $5,000 are awarded to recruit woodwind students with professional and artistic promise. Provided a student maintains enrollment and a good academic record, this award may be renewable for up to one year.
The Duquesne University Concerto Competition is held annually in February to select one student who will perform with the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra. The competition is open to any student campus-wide, Sophomore and older, who must prepare a full-length concerto, memorized. The winner is featured on the DSO's final concert each year in April.
2021 Recipient
Maria Hincapie - Artist Diploma in Performance, Flute
"Receiving the Triano award and winning the concerto competition have enriched my studies at Duquesne by giving me the opportunity to work with wonderful musicians and a fabulous coach. I am very grateful to the Mary Pappert School of Music for making this possible."