Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Graduates of the BA, MA, and PhD programs gathered together with faculty, staff, and family members for a meal and recognition ceremony for our artist/scholars and the milestones they have achieved. Faculty advisors summarized each graduate’s area of focus and accomplishments in way that was highly personal and indicative of the close collaboration that occurs between our faculty and students. Thanks to all the Graduates and family members who joined us for this wonderful time of celebration!

The Department of Music is pleased to announce that four of our doctoral candidates have been selected as Andrew Mellon Pre-doctoral Fellows for the 2017–18 academic year. Jazz studies doctoral candidate John Bagnato, composer/theorists Ryan McMasters, and Brian Riordan, and musicologist Juan Fernando Velásquez Ospina are each poised to complete innovative research and creative work during their fellowship years. 

Doctoral Candidate John Petrucelli has been selected as a composer/performer for the New Hazlett Theater’s 2017–18 CSA (Community Supported Art) Series. Conceived as an artistic analogy to the community supported agriculture movement, the New Hazlett’s series seeks to support local artists and provide a professional performance environment for their work. Petrucelli will perform his suite Presence at the New Hazlett on December 7 and 8th of 2017.

Graduatate Student Danielle Maggio is collaborating with Ryan Arts Center to present "Celebrating Mary Lou Williams: Pittsburgh's Bebop Queen." The event will include a screening of the film Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band with a brief lecture, and performances by Danielle Maggio (vocals), Samuel Okoh-Boateng (piano), Gizelxanath and the Afro Yaqui Vocal Ensemble (performing "St. Martin de Porress," arranged by Ben Barson). No prior music knowledge is needed to understand and enjoy the lecture or film.

A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student who will be enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in September of 2017.  The scholarship is divided between the fall and spring terms. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of performing ability as demonstrated by an audition video file or CD.

A nationally recognized panel of jazz musicians will select the winner. In the past, panel members have included George Cables, David Baker, Curtis Fuller and James Moody.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review gives an extensive preview of the 46th Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert. According to Trib writier Bob Karlovits,

"This year's University of Pittsburgh Jazz Seminar and Concert will feature the creative and exploratory voice of Cassandra Wilson, the dramatic talents of actress S. Epatha Merkerson and the standout bass work of area stalwart Dwayne Dolphin.

Jazz Studies doctoral candidate John Bagnato’s presentation at the International Conference of the Blues “The Half Ain’t Never Been Told: Blindness & Blues in the Race Record Evangelists, 1926-1929” was selected as the winner of the third Luther Brown Prize.

The Music Graduate Student Organization at the University of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce its first annual conference, to be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017

A talented group of international jazz musicians will convene on the University of Pittsburgh campus Oct. 31 through Nov. 5 for the 46th annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert, the longest-running event of its kind in the country. Visit our Jazz Seminar homepage to find about this year’s lineup of outstanding artists.

The Application for the 2016–17 University of Pittsburgh/BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship is now available for download in pdf format. Download the Scholarship Application. You may also obtain a copy in person, by phone, or by writing to the following address:

University of Pittsburgh
Jazz Scholarship
130 Music Building
4337 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Telephone: (412) 624-4187
pittjazz@pitt.edu