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Harmonic Convergence: The music at Convocation 2017

Music has been an increasingly big part of Convocation over the past several years, and the 2017 edition showcased the talents of TC students.

At the first master’s degree ceremony, on Monday afternoon, listeners heard Schubert’s Serenade, arranged by Gustav Saenger. The performers were violinists Jennifer and Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan, both of whom were receiving their master’s degrees in Music & Music Education, and Yung-Yung Elsa Lee (piano), who will receive the same degree in 2018.

At Tuesday morning’s master’s degree ceremony, Jarritt Sheel (trumpet) and Drew X Coles (piano), both of whom will receive doctorates in Music & Music Education in 2018, performed “Over the Rainbow,” composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg.

At the Tuesday afternoon master’s ceremony, Laura Rizzotto (piano and vocals), who had received her degree in Music and Music Education on Monday, performed Lennon and McCartney’s “In My Life.”

The doctoral hooding ceremony featured the TC Chamber Singers, conducted by Nicholas McBride, who was receiving his doctorate in Music & Music Education, performing "Purple Summer," composed by Duncan Sheik, with lyrics by Steven Satar.

Also adding pizzazz to the proceedings was Bombrasstico, a Brookly-based “brass-thrash” ensemble, which performed the procession and recession music at all the ceremonies.

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Published Wednesday, May 24, 2017