In an exciting development for Pittsburgh’s music scene, Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Music and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have entered into a four-year collaboration. This new partnership aims to provide CMU students with unparalleled access to some of the world’s leading musicians and conductors, right on their campus.
As part of this agreement, music majors at CMU will receive PSO Go Pass subscriptions, forging a beneficial link between the students and the symphony. This initiative not only enhances educational opportunities but also strengthens Pittsburgh’s reputation as a vibrant arts hub, building on the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions.
“None of this happens without leadership that believes in the value of these kinds of partnerships,” said Milton Laufer, professor and Jack G. Buncher Head of the School of Music. He expressed gratitude to CMU President Farnam Jahanian and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Melia Tourangeau for their commitment to making this agreement possible.
The partnership is being celebrated as a boost to the region’s cultural fabric, with CMU’s annual “Night at the Symphony” event showcasing the interconnectedness of the local arts ecosystem. The event brought together students, staff, faculty, and alumni to revel in Pittsburgh’s musical legacy.
“One of Pittsburgh’s greatest strengths is the way our institutions come together to create opportunities and impact far beyond what any one of us could achieve alone,” stated CMU President Farnam Jahanian. He emphasized the role of the arts in inspiring and elevating the human experience, noting that this partnership with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra creates unique learning opportunities for students.
Photo Credit: George Lange
Pittsburgh Symphony President and CEO Melia Tourangeau highlighted the significance of the city’s institutional collaborations, stating, “This partnership reflects what’s possible when two leading organizations come together with a shared commitment to education and artistry.” By connecting students with the symphony’s musicians, the collaboration aims to invest in the future of young artists.
Adding to this collaboration, the College of Fine Arts at CMU includes 20 symphony members on its faculty, bringing their expertise from venues like the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts directly to the university’s campus.
Mary Ellen Poole, Stanley and Marcia Gumberg Dean of the College of Fine Arts, stated, “This agreement illuminates the place of CMU Music in the lively artistic web of our great city.” She emphasized the partnership’s role in educating musicians and providing moments of beauty to the community.
CMU students have already experienced the benefits of this collaboration, with orchestra members participating in classroom activities such as the Composer’s Forum, a weekly event where students receive professional insight and feedback on their work.
“When Pittsburgh Symphony musicians and guest artists appear in our performance spaces and up close in our classrooms, the line between student and professional begins to dissolve in productive ways,” Laufer remarked. This interaction benefits audiences and enriches the orchestral field.
Manfred Honeck, music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, will visit the School of Music once per season, with associate conductors leading the CMU Philharmonic in two concerts each year. Additionally, guest soloists and conductors will engage with students in master classes and career talks.
Tracing its roots back to Andrew Carnegie, who funded the orchestra’s inaugural trip to New York City, this partnership symbolizes the enduring relationship between two of Pittsburgh’s premier cultural institutions. “This multiyear agreement formalizes what should always be true in a city like Pittsburgh: that its premier orchestra and the School of Music at its leading research university are active partners, not parallel institutions,” Laufer concluded.
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