Three Distinguished MPSOM Faculty Set to Retire

Dr. Edward Kocher was hired in the fall of 2000 as Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music, a position he held until 2014. He came to Duquesne following two decades at DePaul University where he served as Professor and Associate Dean. During his term as Dean, Kocher ushered in a new era for the School of Music, continuing its relationship with P. David Pappert, whose mother Mary had become the namesake of the school. He was instrumental in the acquisition and installation of 68 Steinway pianos, earning Duquesne the elite classification of “All-Steinway School.” He is also responsible for many other highly successful fundraising campaigns that resulted in the creation of the Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation, the impressive renovation of the PNC Recital Hall, the addition of the Mary Jane Schultz Music Center in the Gumberg Library, the construction of the Triano Woodwind Suite, and the establishment of many endowments, not the least of which is the Jack W. Geltz Distinguished Piano Chair, held by current Dean David Allen Wehr. After stepping down as Dean, Ed became the inaugural holder of the William Patrick Power, C.S.Sp. Endowed Chair in Academic Leadership and has served on the Musicianship faculty teaching liberal studies courses that provided opportunities for community-based experiential learning for non-music majors. Outside of Duquesne, Kocher has served as a consultant and evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), as Board President of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, as a member of the Arts Education Collaborative, as a board member for Belle Voci, and as Board President for the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. An accomplished trombonist, Kocher’s credits include performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Brass Ensemble, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Chicago String Ensemble, and many more. He continues to perform as a soloist, in the Brass from the Bluff quintet, with the New Vintage Jazz Band, and he may also be heard on Nancy Wilson’s 2007 GRAMMY Award-winning album Turned to Blue.

In 1969, Dr. Ann Labounsky started her 56-year journey as a faculty member in our school. Having studied in France with several notable French organists—in particular Jean Langlais—she has earned degrees and diplomas from around the world, including from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, Ecole Normale, and Schola Cantorum. When she came to Pittsburgh and Duquesne, she was able to utilize this broad base of education, experience, and sensibilities to build on the Spiritan foundations of Duquesne University and cultivate a plethora of students for the next several decades. As Professor of Organ, Labounsky brought many guest organists to teach and offer master classes such as David Craighead and John Walker, as well as organize conferences on Jean Langlais, Olivier Messiaen, and Charles Tournemire. She also took students on many trips to France, Austria, Germany, and England to visit historical churches and provide opportunities to perform on the organs. In recent years, Labounsky helped the Duquesne in choosing a new instrument for the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The instrument, built by the Dan Jaeckel, is meant to replicate the style of the early 20th century French organs. Labounsky also oversaw the restoration of the practice instruments in the Mary Pappert School of Music. The organ in her studio was rebuilt and an excellent new practice instrument was installed on the second floor. Labounsky is leaving behind a great legacy of teaching and instruments to match. Labounsky has numerous recordings to her name, not the least of which is the 26-CD Complete Organ Works of Jean Langlais. In 2025, she was selected by the American Guild of Organists as the 2025 AGO Distinguished Artist and will perform a recital at their annual gala in April.

A 1980 alumnus of the School of Music, Mike Tomaro returned to his alma mater in 1997 following seventeen years as a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, a unit of the prestigious “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band. With a plethora of writing, arranging, and performing experience under his belt, he assumed leadership of the jazz program from his mentor and friend, the late Dr. John Wilson (Professor Emeritus), with whom he co-authored the textbook Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide. He has served for 28 years as the Program Director of Jazz Studies, during which time he has arranged and presented dozens of thematic shows for the Duquesne Jazz Ensemble and the faculty jazz septet’s Uptown Jazz Series which have featured the music of Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Sting & the Police, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Henry Mancini, Billy Strayhorn, George Benson, and Stanley Turrentine, as well as musical eras/genres including the Swing Era, Motown, Music of the 70s & 80s, and movie, television, and video game themes. For seven consecutive years following the passing of his wife Nancy in 2010, he also organized annual fundraising concerts in partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN). Tomaro has released five national albums, performed on GRAMMY Award-winning albums, and is also the lead alto saxophone player for the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.

“The Mary Pappert School of Music celebrates the retirement of three longtime faculty members, all giants in their fields of music administration, organ and sacred music, and jazz,” said School of Music Dean David Allen Wehr. “Ed Kocher, Ann Labounsky and Mike Tomaro, respectively, have spent decades at the pinnace of their professions, bringing international distinction and accomplishment to our programs. All three have served as superlative role models for our students, and inspiration to their faculty and staff colleagues. I look forward to sharing many memories in the coming weeks as we collectively look back fondly on the countless contributions they have made to our community.”

Over the coming weeks, we will be collecting memories and photos of the retirees. Please consider sharing any of your thoughts, memories, well-wishes, and photos with us about these amazing individuals.

On Sunday, March 16, Mike Tomaro and the Duquesne Jazz Ensembles, along with several alumni and special guests will perform A Tribute to the 70s Horn Bands featuring his own arrangements of the music of Earth, Wind, & Fire; Blood, Sweat, & Tears; Chicago; and Tower of Power. Following the concert, there will be a gathering to celebrate Mike in the adjacent Shepperson Suite.

Please join us in congratulating all three of our wonderful colleagues! We wish them all the best in their next adventures!