Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Division
Students who wish to major in music must first apply through the University Office of Admissions. Entrance to the Mary Pappert School of Music requires academic (provisional) acceptance by the University Office of Admissions and successful completion of the music audition process. It is strongly suggested that prospective music majors have a background in music that includes some performance, music theory, and certain aural skills prior to entrance. All applicants must pass the music audition process regardless of their intended degree track. For more details about Audition Guidelines and Requirements visit duq.edu/AuditionOverview.
For all undergraduate applicants, the music audition process consists of a combination of the following components:
- Performance Audition
- Degree Interview
- Aural Skills Assessment
- Musicianship Placement Exam
Applicants must schedule their music audition through the online application portal. Detailed information about music audition dates and requirements, as well as instructions for registering for an audition and submitting audition materials are listed on the music admissions webpage. Music auditions must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of the desired audition date.
Once registered for a music audition, applicants will receive detailed communications relative to the upcoming music audition from the Office of Music Admissions that include:
- Degree Interview Expectations
- Musicianship Placement Exam Study Tools
- Personalized Audition Day Schedule
Applicants will receive unofficial notification of audition results from the Mary Pappert School of Music (typically within 7-10 days of the music audition) followed by an official letter of full acceptance from the University Office of Admissions soon after.
Classroom observations, trial lessons, and consultations with music advisors are widely encouraged and may be arranged by calling 412.396.5064 or emailing the Office of Music Admissions at musicadmissions@duq.edu
School of Music Repeating Courses Policy
The Mary Pappert School of Music follows the Duquesne University Repeating Courses Policy for all programs, with the exception of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department. Their course repeat policy specifies that students must also receive a B or better in all MUED and MUTH courses in order to pass that course.
Ensemble Credit Policy
Large Ensembles Code Type
| Subject Code/Course # | Course Name | Minutes/Week | Student Course Credit | Faculty Load Credit | DU Registrar Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUEN 125/ GMNS 525 |
Symphony Band | 220 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 130/ GMNS 503 |
Wind Symphony | 220 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 132/ GMNS 504 |
Duquesne Symphony Orchestra | 265 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 134/ GMNS 511 |
Jazz Ensemble | 220 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 135/ GMNS 514 |
Jazz Workshop | 220 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 139/ GMNS 539 |
Pappert Chorale | 200 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
| MUEN 143/ GMNS 543 |
Voices of Spirit | 230 | 0-1 | 4 | LGE |
Small Ensembles Code Type
| Subject Code/Course # | Course Name | Minutes/Week | Student Course Credit | Faculty Load Credit | DU Registrar Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUEN 122/ GMNS 522 |
Duquesne Chamber Orchestra | 110 | 0-1 | 2 | SML |
| MUEN 144/ GMNS 505 |
Opera Workshop* | 110 | 0-1 | 2 | SML |
| MUEN 145/ GMNS 576 |
Vocal Jazz Ensemble | 110 | 0-1 | 2 | SML |
*See voice tally sheet for specific ensemble requirements and restrictions.
Other Ensembles Code Type
| Subject Code/Course # | Course Name | Minutes/Week | Student Course Credit | Faculty Load Credit | DU Registrar Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUEN 118/ GMNS 512 |
Recording Studio Ensemble | 170 | 0-1 | 3 | OTHER |
Chamber Ensembles Code Type
| Subject Code/Course # | Course Name | Minutes/Week | Student Course Credit | Faculty Load Credit | DU Registrar Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUEN 105/ GMNS 515 |
French Horn Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 107/ GMNS 507 |
Brass Choir | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 108/ GMNS 521 |
Trumpet Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 112/ GMNS 506 |
Percussion Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 114/ GMNS 519 |
Flute Choir | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 115/ GMNS 517 |
Trombone Choir | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 116/ GMNS 513 |
Jazz Guitar Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 117/ GMNS 518 |
Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 120/ GMNS 520 |
Classic Guitar Ensemble | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 136/ GMNS 536 |
Saxophone Ensemble | TBA | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUEN 146/ GMNS 544 |
The Dukes Music | 50-100 | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
| MUPF 217/ GMPF 514 |
Piano Ensemble | TBA | 0-1 | 1 | CME |
Chamber Ensembles coded courses meet 50 minutes/week if enrollment is 5 or fewer students. If enrollment is 6 or more students, Chamber Ensembles coded courses meet 100 minutes/week.
Chamber Music Class Code Type
| Subject Code/Course # | Course Name | Minutes/Week | Student Course Credit | Faculty Load Credit | DU Registrar Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUPF 212/ GMPF 532 |
Chamber Music - String | 100 | 0-2 | 1 | CMS |
| MUPF 214/ GMPF 533 |
Chamber Music - Brass | TBA | 0-2 | 1 | CMS |
| MUPF 216/ GMPF 531 |
Chamber Music - Woodwind | 100 | 0-2 | 1 | CMS |
• Undergraduate Music Education Majors must take seven semesters of courses listed
in bold. Students should also refer to the Undergraduate Handbook for Music Teacher Certification for additional details.
• Undergraduate Music Therapy Majors must take six semesters of courses listed in
bold related to the student's primary instrument and two semesters of choral ensemble
in the senior year.
• Undergraduate Music Performance Majors must take eight semesters of courses listed
in bold; Music Performance Majors whose primary instrument is guitar must take four
semesters of courses listed in bold and four semesters in ensembles of their choice
in consultation with faculty advisors.
• Undergraduate Music Technology Majors must take four semesters of courses listed
in bold and four semesters in ensembles of their choice in consultation with faculty
advisors.
• B.A. in Music students must take four total semesters of ensembles, two of which
must come from those listed in bold.
Note: Some of the ensembles listed above require an audition for entrance. Specific degree programs may also require additional ensembles. Please refer to the degree tally sheet for details.
Applied Lesson Policy
Every music major will receive 14 weeks of lessons and perform a jury or recital each semester of applied study. The following formula is used for both Undergraduate and Graduate Applied Lessons:
Two Credits = 14, 60-minute weekly lessons (840 total minutes), plus a jury or recital
One Credit = 14, 30-minute weekly lessons (420 total minutes), plus a jury or recital
Undergraduate Requirements:
- Performance Majors: eight semesters on primary instrument, two credits per semester
- Music Education Majors: six semesters on primary instrument, two credits per semester. Additional semesters of lessons may be taken if student's schedule permits.
- Music Therapy Majors: four semesters on primary instrument; one semester of one-credit voice lessons, if the student is not a voice major. Three additional semesters of lessons may be taken beyond the five required semesters if the student's schedule permits.
- Music Technology (Sound Recording): eight semesters on primary instrument, two credits per semester. In the senior year, the student has the option to participate in applied instrumental study or applied audio study.
- Music Technology (Composition for Media): four semesters of applied study on primary instrument, two credits per semester, followed by four semesters of composition for media studies, two credits per semester.
- Bachelor of Arts: four semesters of one-credit lessons on primary instrument; additional semesters of lessons may be taken if student's schedule permits.
- Music Minor: two total credits of applied study on primary instrument
Additional Applied Study Options (with the permission of the instructor, Area Coordinator, Department Chair, and Dean)
- Undergraduate Performance-Jazz Emphasis majors may take two credits of lessons, dividing those into two, 1-credit lessons each in classical and jazz.
- Undergraduate Performance, Music Education, and Music Technology majors may take two credits of lessons, dividing those into two, 1-credit lessons each in classical and jazz. (See procedure below regarding dividing lessons.)
- Undergraduate organ majors may take an additional two semesters of 1-credit lessons in applied piano.
- Undergraduate voice majors may take up to two additional credits of piano (one credit maximum/semester) upon successful completion of group piano classes.
- In exceptional cases, piano and voice majors may take an additional 1-credit of lessons in jazz in addition to their 2-credit lesson on their primary instrument. These requests must be approved in advance of registration by the individuals mentioned above.
- Requests not covered by the above situations must be submitted to the Associate Dean for formal approval, once the instructor, Area Coordinator, and Department Chair have given their approvals.
Students interested in dividing 2-credit lessons into two, 1-credit lessons each in classical and jazz, must first submit a Division of Applied Lessons Form to the Performance Department Chair. The chair will then discuss the request with the applied instructor, the faculty advisor, degree Program Director or appropriate chair, and the Jazz Area Coordinator. The student will be notified in writing whether the request is approved or not.
Degree Recital Policies and Procedures
Students should refer to the syllabus for their specific recital to find the requirements related to repertoire, program length, and any other area-specific requirements. The recital scheduling process is found at duq.edu/recitals.
Please see the Academic Policies section of the University Catalog for all other academic policies and procedures.