Many students and faculty know about the Dietrich School’s amazing Department of Music, and maybe you even know about a few of their ensembles. But did you know the special history the Music building holds?
It might be the piano lab, music studio, or ethnomusicology lab…
Maybe it’s the Theodore M. Finney Music Library in the basement of the building, which is one of the leading music research centers in the United States. It includes books, scores, and journals on Western classical, world music, jazz, and popular music, as well as dedicated collaborative workspaces and sophisticated media playback.
Or maybe it’s that the Music Department was originally home to Pittsburgh’s own WQED and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood! That’s right, while you’re roaming the halls of the building listening to students practice or heading to class, take a moment to appreciate that you are walking the same halls as Fred Rogers.
Perhaps through the echoes of time, he is still instilling his wisdom into the music our Pitt students are creating and performing. It certainly feels that way if you’ve ever had a chance to go to one of the concerts put on by one of the many music ensembles, including the Heinz Chapel Choir, Treble Choral Ensemble, Pitt Men’s Glee Club, University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music, Bluegrass Ensemble, University Gamelan, Afropop Ensemble, African Drumming Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Small Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band (Athletics), Concert Band (Athletics), and the Jazz Salon (Graduate).
And for those interested in pursuing a degree in Music, you’re in luck, the Dietrich School offers both a major and a minor. With the major, students can pick from five tracks to complete their degree in Performance, Composition, Jazz, Global and Popular Music, or Music and Cultural History.
If you’d like to find out more about the department, including enrollment requirements, you can visit their webpage.