The annual graduation ceremony for Eastman School of Music bachelor’s and master’s degree students will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The Saturday ceremony is for students receiving their Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts and Master of Music degrees. The ceremony for students receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12, in Kodak Hall. The University-wide Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus, featuring a performance by the Eastman Wind Ensemble.

Mark Volpe ’79E, ’14E (Honorary) will be this year’s graduation ceremony speaker on May 13. Mr. Volpe served as President and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2021. In his role, he was responsible for all activities of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops and Tanglewood. After his retirement from the BSO, Volpe has advised numerous orchestras and music festivals in the United States and Europe and lectured/taught at the most prestigious universities in the nation.

“I am deeply honored to play a role in the commencement exercises at the Eastman School of Music. There are certain threshold moments in life and getting a degree from the Eastman School of Music has to be one of them,” shares Volpe, who holds bachelor’s and honorary degree from Eastman. “Given the challenges precipitated by the worldwide pandemic, the Class of 2023 has been through a great deal and has considerable reason to celebrate. I am very much looking forward to experiencing the joy and sense of accomplishment that certainly will be part of the occasion.”

This year’s student address will be given by Students’ Association President, Megan Brilleslyper ’23E (BM), and Graduate Students’ Association President, Elise Noyes ’23E (MM), with music performed by the Eastman Trombone Choir.

For a detailed listing of commencement weekend activities, please visit University of Rochester’s commencement website. Eastman’s degree ceremony will be livestreamed here.

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