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"A group whose name would be synonymous with Duquesne and Pittsburgh was the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. They were founded in 1937, a time in which East European immigrants were enrolling in Duquesne in large numbers. These students represented the everyday people steeped in the folk traditions of their homelands. To preserve their distinctive traditions, the Tamburitza Orchestra was organized. The group derived its name from the tamburitza, an ancient stringed instrument related to the lute. Later to be known as the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, their fame would spread worldwide. This photo shows the Tamburitzans performing in St. Louis during their 1938-39 tour. Walther Kollar, later to become director of the troupe, is on the right."

University Archives, Duquesne University

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