Our curriculum emphasizes musicianship across PreK–12 public and private schools,
both in classroom and rehearsal settings, enabling you to teach anywhere in the United States.
In addition to your studies, you will maintain the highest standards in the areas
of musicianship, pedagogy, and professionalism and work consistently with an extensive
network of cooperating teachers in public school music settings (band, choir, orchestra,
and general music) for field experiences that begin during the very first semester
of the freshman year.
These Music Education graduates have gone on to become successful teachers, administrators,
and performers both the local and international stage.
Michael Warren
Dr. Michael Warren (2017) was host of the 2019 gala for The Pittsburgh Promise, which
featured headliner Leslie Odom, Jr. of the Broadway smash-hit musical "Hamilton."
Hannah Roux
Hannah Roux (2020) teaches elementary general and vocal music in the Fox Chapel Area
School District, and she also leads Tunes for Tots music class for children and their
loved ones at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.
Kendra Whitlock Ingram
Kendra Whitlock Ingram (1997) is the current President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural
Trust. She previously served as President and CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center
in Milwaukee, WI.
Alumni Spotlight
Collin Binko (B.S. Music Education, 2013) won the 2025 Milken Educator Award for Wyoming,
a national honor (also known as the "Oscar of Teaching") recognizing educators for
their dedication to excellence in education and leadership.
Meet the Music Education Faculty
Our Music Education faculty are nationally- and internationally-known educators, scholars,
conductors, and clinicians active within the profession.
Music Education Students have access to several resource centers and storage areas.
The Music Education Instrument Storage Room, along with a variety of cabinets throughout
the building, features an extensive collection of percussion, woodwind, string, brass,
general music, and Modern Band instruments for use in methods and techniques courses.
The collection also includes acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, a full Orff
instrumentarium, sheet music, methods books, movement materials, early childhood manipulatives,
and sound equipment, all housed on shelves from the Wenger Corporation. The collection
is updated regularly to reflect the most up-to-date innovations in PreK-12 music classrooms.
The Mary Jane Schultz Music Center provides you with an ever-expanding resource of
music and music-related research materials. Located on the fifth floor of Duquesne
University's Gumberg Library, this collection of music resources comprises an extensive
collection of musical scores and DVD/CDs, online research databases, and a wealth
of archival materials, such as our unique collection of the papers and personal belongings
of the composer Paul Hindemith.
The late William Schultz, former Duquesne student and Fender Guitar executive, and
his wife Mary Jane Schultz made significant financial contributions to the Mary Pappert
School of Music, funding noteworthy improvements to the music school's building and
helping us establish the Mary Jane Schultz Music Center.
For more information about the Mary Jane Schultz Music Center,visit its page on the Gumberg Library's website.
The Curriculum Center is a collection of PreK-12 educational resources designed to
support Duquesne students in education-focused degree programs. Resources include
PreK-12 textbooks for all subject areas, children’s and young adult literature, big
books, storytelling kits, curriculum and lesson planning resources, puppets, manipulatives,
and games. Additional resources and services include an Ellison die cut press system,
a touch-screen flat panel technology system, and computers.
The materials within the Curriculum Center are particularly helpful to Music Education
students as they plan teaching demonstrations for methods classes, field experiences
in public school music classrooms, and student teaching. The collection of music-related
books, manipulatives, and supplementary materials is consistently updated, and Music
Education students can request materials to be purchased for the collection. Additional
services and materials available for a small fee within the Curriculum Center include
laminating, binding, bulletin board paper, glue sticks, and markers.
Upon verification of alumni status and registration in the library’s user database,
alumni are welcome to use the Curriculum Center materials and services. This is particularly
helpful to practicing public school music teachers in the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
For more information about the Maureen P. Sullivan Curriculum Center, visit its page
on the Gumberg Library’s website.
Duquesne'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. Our students have performed at Heinz Hall, Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland,
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, the August Wilson Center, the Andrew Carnegie
Free Library and Music Hall, and many more.
In today's competitive commercial and studio music environment, versatility is of
the utmost importance. Our unique jazz curriculum integrates foundational training
in the classical tradition with private instruction and coursework in jazz idioms.
Demonstrate personal commitment to the art of music, to teaching music as an element
of civilization, and to encouraging the artistic and intellectual development of students—while
fulfilling these commitments as independent professionals.
Lead their own students to an understanding of music as an art form, as a means of
communication, and as a part of their intellectual and cultural heritage.
Inspire others and excite the imagination of their students, engendering a respect
for music and a desire for musical knowledge and experiences.
Articulate logical rationales for music as a basic component of general education,
and present the goals and objectives of a school music program effectively to parents,
professional colleagues, and administrators.
Work productively within specific education systems, promote scheduling patterns that
optimize music instruction, maintain positive relationships with individuals of various
social and ethnic groups, and be empathetic with students and colleagues of differing
backgrounds.
Evaluate ideas, methods, and policies in the arts, the humanities, and in arts education
for their influence on the musical and cultural development of students in school
music programs.
Remain current with developments in the art of music and in teaching; make independent,
in-depth evaluations of their relevance; and to use the results to improve musicianship
and teaching skills.
