University of Pittsburgh Bluegrass Ensemble concert (12/4/25) – photo © Long Q Hong Photography
Many thanks to Bryce Rabideau for sharing this report and photos from the semester-ending concert from the University of Pittsburgh Bluegrass Ensemble, which he leads. Bryce is a composer and multi-instrumentalist with a background in jazz and roots music, who specializes in genre-defying mandolin music, as his most recent EP, As Far As I Know, amply demonstrates.
Since its founding in 2023, the University of Pittsburgh Bluegrass Ensemble has explored the canon of American roots music from a multi-generational, multi-cultural perspective. We’ve developed a wide-ranging repertoire that includes 19th century fiddle tunes, gospel classics, popular country hits, and genre-bending newgrass compositions. Some students in the ensemble are newcomers to bluegrass music, and some have been playing it most of their life. Most are not music majors. Everyone involved is tied together by a curiosity about the genre and a dedication to learning their way around it.
In its first semester (fall 2023), the ensemble had just 4 students in it – barely enough for one bluegrass group. Since then, the ensemble has grown to 13 students split across three different 4-5 person groups.
We played a handful of shows this semester in a variety of settings: the university radio station, recital halls, libraries, and finally Calliope’s intimate Roots Cellar earlier this month. Each show gave students experience with a different type of audience and acoustic space.
Next year promises more performing opportunities and an even bigger ensemble.
