(jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) (jaunty upbeat music) - Be seated.

Good afternoon.

How's everyone doing today?

(audience applauding and cheering) What a wonderful day of celebration and it's no longer 33 degrees.

We have some good weather out there.

So what a wonderful day.

My name is Jim Forger.

It's my honor to serve as Dean of the Michigan State University College of Music.

And on behalf of our faculty and staff, I welcome you all to the College of Music Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

(audience applauding) In attendance are distinguished guests and speakers, family and friends, and of course our graduates.

So let us begin, class of 2024, by congratulating you on your tenacity, flexibility, your talent, your hard work, and the significant achievements that have led you to this momentum occasion.

Class of 2024, would you please stand so we can celebrate and applaud you?

(audience applauding and cheering) So you can now stay standing because I'm gonna ask everyone else to also please rise and join with students and faculty in singing "America the Beautiful" led by graduating senior Brayden Hunter with graduating seniors Anna Jesko and Kelly Bohan.

(audience applauding and cheering) ("America the Beautiful") ♪ O beautiful for spacious skies ♪ ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ Above the fruited plain ♪ ♪ America, America ♪ ♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ (audience applauding) - The occasion of this ceremony finds us assembled in gratitude for a university and college community and for a faculty and student body in which we take tremendous pride.

Beyond words of celebration and ceremony, our program today will appropriately include performances from some graduating seniors.

This sampling represents only a small part of the talent within this class.

Each of you have developed and expressed your talents individually and collectively in academic and creative endeavors, in solo performance, and in ensembles, and through lots of outreach and engagement.

Through the work you have accomplished individually and together over these past works, you have been collaborators in the best sense of the word.

We are grateful for the many contributions you have made and look forward to seeing how you help make the world a better place through the power of music.

I think it's appropriate on this occasion and at this time to recognize the many people who have made this day possible.

We have in the audience today those individuals whose constant support and love have sustained you during your time at MSU.

So I'd ask the parents, relatives, family members, loved ones of our graduates, please stand so we can thank you.

(audience applauding and cheering) Behind me sit a group of people who have been dedicated to your success.

They have taught you, mentored you, nurtured you.

Perhaps they've nagged you in your growth as composers, music educators, performers, entrepreneurs, scholars, and future leaders of your professions and communities.

Would our amazing faculty please stand to receive our recognition and appreciation.

(audience applauding and cheering) Thank you.

Thanks as well to Professor Rodney Whitaker and the MSU Jazz Orchestra I.

You got us in here in style and we look forward to hearing from you a little bit later.

We also thank the members of the class of 2024 who are providing musical selections as part of our celebration today.

And finally, I'd like to acknowledge Andrea Cliver, who will be captioning our ceremony today.

Thank you very much.

Commencement is a time of joy and it marks an important transition.

This transition can also be bittersweet as students move on, leaving friendships and an academic community where you've spent four or five, anyone for six years.

We will miss this graduating class next year.

You've contributed many important dimensions to our musical and academic community.

We thank you and we look forward to keeping in touch with you.

And as I mentioned before, look forward to celebrating your future work and the impact you will make in this world.

At this time, would you please join me in welcoming to the stage graduating seniors Kelly Bohen, Anqi Huang, and Philip Rorogen, who will perform "Swanee," composed by George Gershwin.

(audience applauding and cheering) (jaunty piano music) (jaunty piano music) (jaunty piano music) (jaunty piano music) (jaunty piano music) (jaunty piano music) (audience applauding and cheering) We now have the pleasure of presenting the College of Music Distinguished Alumni Award to our commencement speaker Endea Owens.

Endea, would you please join me at the podium?

(audience applauding and cheering) Known as one of the most vibrant emerging artists in jazz today, Endea Owens is a Detroit-raised recording artist, bassist, and composer.

Her musical journey began at an early age in the motor city, deeply influenced by the rich cultural tapestry as well as the challenges of her surroundings.

She has become known for her unique instrumental command, her vibrant stage presence, and a dynamic bass technique that reveals rhythmic precision and emotional depth, effortlessly guiding her performance with a blend of tradition and innovation.

Her expressive playing style, marked by soulful improvisation, was most recently on display for Michigan audiences who were able to experience her exceptional talent as the featured guest artist of the MSU Jazz Spectacular several weeks ago in Fairchild Theater.

A 2015 graduate of Michigan State University, where she was a student of Professor Rodney Whitaker, Endea has also been mentored by jazz icons such as Marcus Belgrave and Ron Carter.

She has toured and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross, Jon Batiste, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Steve Turre, to name a few.

After completing graduate studies at the Julliard School in 2018, Endea joined the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a member of the house band Stay Human.

I believe you can tune in to see her most weekday evenings on CBS at 11:30.

Is that right?

- That's right.

- All right.

(audience applauding and cheering) And you can see her zipping on down the corridor on the way in with the group.

I had the great pleasure of being there in person as well as seeing.

Endea's professional credits include an Emmy award, a Grammy award, and a George Foster Peabody Award.

Her work has appeared on Jon Batiste's Grammy award-winning album "We Are," Oscar nominated film, "Judas and the Black Messiah."

And for large audiences, she has appeared as a member on the Super Bowl 55 performance.

Endea has a true passion for philanthropy and teaching.

She's taught students across the United States, South America, and Europe.

In 2020, growing out of the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded the Community Cookout, a nonprofit organization that provides meals and music to underserved neighborhoods in New York City.

To date, Endea's organization has helped feed more than 3000 New Yorkers, and it's hosted over a dozen free music concerts.

And I understand this important work is in process, in the process of expanding worldwide.

- It's already happened.

- Oh my gosh.

Okay.

Wow.

(audience applauding and cheering) Endea has composed many original pieces, including those for the jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Carnegie Hall's National Youth Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with whom she served as a multicultural awareness innovator.

In addition to her work with Cincinnati Symphony, Endea is the curator for the National Arts Club, and also a fellow for Jazz is Now with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.

Last fall, she was an MSU Grand Award recipient, honoring her exceptional Spartan spirit through her passion, her philanthropy, her artistry, and her teaching.

Endea, we congratulate you on your distinctive, innovative, entrepreneurial, and highly successful artistic career that touches so many.

On behalf of the faculty, students, staff, and alumni of the College of Music, I'm proud to present you the 2024 Michigan State University College of Music Distinguished Alumni Award.

Please accept this pylon and cash stipend in recognition of your wonderful achievements.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Thank you so much.

- We'll take that off your hands.

(laughs) - Okay.

(laughs) Thank you.

- I'll give it back to you in a little bit.

- Okay.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Please welcome your distinguished commencement speaker, Endea Owens.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Thank you so much.

Go green.

- [Audience] Come on.

- Go green.

- [Audience] Come on.

- Yeah.

Congratulations, class of 2024.

Please give yourselves a huge round of applause.

(audience applauding) Okay, now wait a minute.

I don't believe that was loud enough.

Every one of you in this room has triumphed over all odds and adversities to be here, to be present in this very moment.

Now, with that being said, we are going to bring in this moment in the right way.

Is that okay?

Mm mm.

Is that all right?

- [Audience] Yeah.

- All right.

(laughs) So if you are proud of yourself in this momentous achievement, I need every single one of you from the right to the left to make the loudest noise that you can for yourselves.

Please come on, y'all.

(audience applauding and cheering) All right, there we go.

Yes.

Thank you for participating.

(laughs) I am so proud of all of you, and I am immensely honored to receive this award and grateful to be a part of this beautiful celebration.

I would like to take the time to thank Dean Forger, all of the trustees, faculty members, and staff at the College of Music for this amazing opportunity to speak to you all today.

Thank you for your very warm welcome and tremendous hospitality.

I am beyond elated to be here today.

And of course, last but not least, I would like to thank all of the parents, siblings, family, and friends that are here to support this amazing graduating class.

Thank you for pouring so much into all of these students in order for them to blossom and grow.

In order for them to be here in this moment and flourish in the even greater moments that are just yet to come.

Please give yourselves a round of very much deserved applause.

(audience applauding and cheering) Yes.

So as Dean Forger said, my name is Endea Owens and I graduated from the MSU Jazz Studies Department here at the College of Music in 2015.

Time truly does fly.

That was almost a decade ago.

(laughs) It seems like just yesterday that Professor Rodney Whitaker was teaching me Hanon, Kreutzer, and bebop exercises in all 12 keys at 300 plus BPM.

As Charles Dickens once wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

(Endea and audience laughing) Honestly, I wouldn't be where I am today without the dedication, tutelage, and care that the faculty here at the College of Music has gifted me.

This level of care and knowledge from the College of Music has led me to countless opportunities in life, one of them being on television every night as the house bassist for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

There were many lessons that I learned in life that helped me get to this point, a point that has no ending and that is ever evolving.

Here's some of my advice if you don't mind.

So number one, you must know who you are, all that you are.

This is an essential part of life.

It is very crucial.

One of the most dangerous things in life is actually not knowing who you are and the power that you possess.

And when I say who you are, I don't mean the roles that you play in society.

If you're someone's brother, sister, mother, father, not even who you are as a musician, whether you're a pianist, bassist, singer, horn player, band leader, composer, side man or side woman.

I am asking you all to think bigger.

Think beyond the constructs of society.

Think beyond the constructs of your mind.

Be limitless.

Who are you when everything is stripped away?

Now, when I ask myself that question, I have a simple answer.

I am God's child.

I am present, seen, boundless, and eternally protected and accounted for, mmhmm.

Now, if you do not believe in God or a higher power, know that you are one of the universe's most unique creations, a special creation impossible to be replicated.

Oprah Winfrey once said, "I am that which is born of all that is."

I am as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, "a spiritual being having a human experience."

Trailing the breath of the ancestors, yet trailing the breath of the angels.

Understanding that because I am connected to the source of all that is, all that possible is possible for me.

All that is possible is possible for me.

Can I hear everybody in this room say this?

All that is possible is possible for me.

That's a little weak.

One more time.

(laughs) All that is possible is possible for me.

Thank you for your participation.

All that is possible is possible for me.

I believe that.

That is who I am.

That is who we all are in this room.

Every single person in this room, no matter your race, gender, or ethnic background, all you have to do is believe.

I don't know about y'all, but I want to be limitless and boundless.

I want to fulfill the promise that the creator dreamed of when comprising the billions of atoms, molecules, and cells that created me.

Number two, your environment does not define who you are or who you will become, but it can teach you the most invaluable of lessons.

Number three, you have to fight for your dreams.

It's imperative.

I grew up in one of the greatest cities in the world.

That is the Detroit, Michigan.

Detroiters in the building?

(audience cheers) Yeah.

313 to be exact.

West side to be specific.

I was raised by an exceptional mother, Beth Jones.

My earliest memories of my mother was her raising my sister and I while completing her bachelor's and master's degree in physics.

Sometimes she would even have to bring us to class.

She was the only student with children.

So even at the tender young age of five years old, I had a crystal clear image of what it looked like to fight for your dreams by any means necessary, to achieve what others believe is unachievable and way beyond your reach.

So fast forward 10 years later when my mother lost her job as a teacher and we became homeless.

Something deep inside me that knew, I knew that this wasn't the end of my story.

This moment of pain and struggle was only a small picture inside my huge, beautiful canvas of many colors that I had yet to finish and I'm still working on.

So I fought for my dreams.

I fought for my dreams when I would get kicked off the bus for not having enough money, I walked to school.

I fought for my dreams.

I've walked to countless rehearsals with my upright bass literally on my back, no matter the weather, and no matter how many miles it took, I fought for my dreams.

I went to school and rehearsal every day, fighting for my dreams and visualizing how great life will soon become.

I always spoke life into myself and others.

One of the moments that changed my life forever was while in the shelter as a teen, I always practiced everywhere, including the shelter.

Anywhere that the bass could vibrate, which is everywhere.

(laughs) So one day I was playing in my usual selected key, D minor.

I was limited but limitless, yes.

(laughs) And honestly, I don't care what anybody says, I was killing it on the bass at that moment and you couldn't tell me anything.

And honestly, still to this day, not a lot of people can tell me anything.

(laughs) I was mentally at Madison Square Garden, of course at a sold out show.

I would close my eyes and transport to a place that transcended everywhere and everything around me.

That moment when I got done playing the bass, I opened my eyes and I was immediately surrounded by every woman and child in the shelter.

They were crying, they were cheering me on.

And what was once a place of deep sorrow turned into a place of unimaginable strength, triumph, and happiness.

That's when I knew that we all have a greater power and light within us.

The music that we learn and share is something much greater than any of us can even fathom.

Number four, we are all a vessel of this music.

The music we play is spiritual and has an immense healing power that can affect the world.

All of us have memories of how music was played and has played a huge impact in our lives.

Music has proven to be an illicit help with memory recall, actually.

Most of the time we can retrace back our specific memories, smells, and moods to a particular song.

It might be the song that you and your family danced to in the living room from 10 years ago.

A song that reminds you of someone who passed in many other moments.

In order to be a vessel of whatever music you do or whatever you do in life, you must also be a person of service.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service."

Service and significance go hand in hand in life.

When you look at some of the most successful people in the world, they all have a paradigm to service.

For example, Bob Marley, who was from a small town in Jamaica, was able to impact the world by giving us proverbs through song that we still sing to give us hope to this day.

That's service.

Duke Ellington impacting the Harlem Renaissance and the world through piano playing and his compositions and a whole new outlet on the black experience.

That's service.

Beyonce dedicating her Renaissance album to bring awareness, love, and celebration to the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.

Service.

Beethoven, who was deaf, giving us timeless pieces that we still play and pull from and learn from today.

That is service.

Service comes in many forms and it looks many different ways.

We are all conduits and vessels of this music and life, and we should never forget our impact and importance in the world.

You should never forget your impact and importance in the world.

So when somebody tries to tell you who you are or that you are just a musician or just a composer, or just fill in the blank, know that you are so much more and can literally change the world because so many other people have done it doing what you do.

Number five, you are your own competition.

Nothing can stop you except yourself.

A lot of people try to be replicas of another successful person that has traveled and carried along their own respective path.

That is their own path.

Like I said, each one of you are specifically unique down to the billionth microscopic detail.

You are impossible to replicate.

That means others are too.

I, for myself, will never be Nina Simone, Charles Mingus, Giovanni Bottesini, or Florence Price because I am Endea Owens and that is more than enough, and I know that I am more than enough.

It doesn't matter how long or short the process takes.

Your gifts will always make room for you no matter where you are in the world.

And that message is for every single person in this room.

It's never too late and it's never too early to start.

While I did have a great time at MSU, it also took me six years to graduate.

At the time, just knowing that my time was taking longer than other students, I would feel hopeless for brief moments.

But then I snapped out of it because I knew that as the great book says, "greater was coming and greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world."

And little did I know a few years later, I would be able to see the very world that I dreamed of as a kid on a regular basis doing exactly what I love.

There are so many moving parts happening in each one of your lives and on your behalf that you don't even know about.

Just trust the process.

Sometimes you might feel like others are way ahead of you and you will never catch up.

When you look on TV or social media, you always see people that seem as if they understand quicker or are receiving opportunities faster.

I've come to tell you that there is room for everyone at the table, and I am living proof of it.

There is room for everyone at the table.

Grab a ham hock, grab a green bean casserole, grab the collards.

Just grab something, grab the chair.

Okay?

(laughs) Remember, you are your own competition, and as Professor Ronnie Whitaker says, "It's mind over matter.

If it ain't in the mind, it don't matter."

(laughs) Number six, I'm almost done, y'all.

I feel like this is church right now.

Yeah, number six.

(laughs) Work hard.

Turn your failures into your lessons because they will happen.

Dust yourself off.

Give yourself grace and play, compose, and create as if no one is watching.

Keep your integrity.

You never know when or where your next door will open.

You'd be surprised.

I actually got my job at the Late Show by playing a four hour gig that ended past 4:00 AM in this small club in New York.

So last but not least, number seven, have fun today.

Turn up, because all of you are the graduating class of 2024.

Here's to life and here's to all of your success.

So please give yourselves a round of applause.

Thank you.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Thank you Endea for that wonderful and inspiring message.

Please welcome MSU Jazz Orchestra I, conducted by university distinguished professor Rodney Whitaker as they perform Samuel John Lightnin Hopkins' composition "Everyday I have the Blues," arranged by Ernie Wilkins.

(jaunty jazz music) (jaunty jazz music) (jaunty jazz music) (jaunty jazz music) ♪ Well, every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ Every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ You see me worried, baby, it's you I hate to lose ♪ ♪ Nobody loves me ♪ ♪ Nobody seems to care ♪ ♪ Nobody loves me ♪ ♪ Nobody seems to care ♪ ♪ But speaking of bad luck and trouble ♪ ♪ You know I have my share ♪ ♪ I'm packing up my suitcase ♪ ♪ I'm moving on down that line ♪ ♪ I'm packing up my suitcase ♪ ♪ I'm moving on down that line ♪ ♪ Well, ain't nobody worried, and ain't nobody crying ♪ ♪ Well, every day, every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ Well, every day, every day, every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ You see me worried baby because it's you I hate to lose ♪ ♪ Nobody loves me ♪ ♪ Nobody seems to care ♪ ♪ Nobody loves me ♪ ♪ Nobody seems to care ♪ ♪ Speaking of bad luck and trouble ♪ ♪ You know I've had my share ♪ ♪ Packing up my suitcase ♪ ♪ Moving on down that line ♪ ♪ I'm packing up my suitcase ♪ ♪ Moving on down that crazy line ♪ ♪ Ain't nobody worried ♪ ♪ And ain't nobody crying ♪ ♪ Because every day, every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ You see me worried, baby, it's you I hate to lose ♪ ♪ Well, every day, every day ♪ ♪ Every day, every day ♪ ♪ Every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ Well, every day I have the blues ♪ ♪ You see me worried, baby, it's you I hate to lose ♪ (singer scatting) (audience applauding and cheering) - Let's hear it one more time for Jazz Orchestra I.

(audience applauding) We are honored that MSU trustee Kelly Tebay has chosen to join us at this ceremony today.

She was elected to the board of trustees for an eight year term that began on January 1st, 2019.

Would you please welcome the honorable Kelly Tebay?

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Dean Forger.

On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I welcome all the graduates, families, and friends who are with us at this afternoon's undergraduate commencement.

Under the Michigan Constitution, the board of trustees is the governing body of the university by whose authority degrees are awarded.

Today's ceremony represents the culmination of discipline, intellectual work, and creative imagination, certainly no small accomplishment.

For many of you and your families here today, the sacrifices have been long and great.

The degree you have earned acknowledges your successes and honors those who encouraged it.

Our wish is that you'll always be leaders who generously use your intelligence and your knowledge to improve the quality of life for your community, to advance the common good, and to renew hope in the human spirit.

Our faculty, the administration, and the MSU trustees are all very proud of you.

Please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon everyone.

I'm Arris Golden, assistant professor of Music, assistant director of bands and associate director of the Spartan Marching Band.

It is my honor today to introduce our 2024 student speaker, Samantha Beringer.

I have known Samantha for the entirety of her time here at MSU, and as a result have been provided with the unique opportunity to witness her growth toward becoming the great musician, wonderful music teacher, and amazing adult who will be speaking to us today.

As many of you may know, Samantha has been drum major of the Spartan marching band since her sophomore year here on campus, which is quite an achievement.

Her four years in this important leadership role have set a new standard that will serve as an excellent guide for drum majors of the future.

In addition to that leadership role, Samantha has played in every College of Music wind band during her time here, always performing at the highest possible level, always striving to do her absolute best.

Most recently, Samantha has completed her student teaching internship at McDonald Middle School here in East Lansing, and again has done a wonderful job.

Soon she'll be teaching her own students in her own classroom and I cannot wait to see what she'll achieve.

So without further delay, everyone please welcome to the podium, our class of 2024 speaker Samantha Beringer.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Woo.

Good afternoon, family, friends, faculty members and colleagues.

I am honored to be in front of you today to share this milestone of a moment we will never forget.

I want us all to feel so much pride in the culmination of the work that got us here today.

It feels like just yesterday we were all meeting each other in MUS 180, Music Theory 101, at eight o'clock in the morning.

We went from music theory and ear training to our exit juries and maybe even graduate auditions and final recitals.

There were many ups and also many downs, but our perseverance and sense of community kept us strong.

Many of us here never really got a full in-person freshman year to think of it.

The new portion of the music building was brand new in 2020, just in time for Covid to hit.

We've had three presidents over our time at MSU, three football coaches, one awful tragedy, and almost a full year, year and a half for some of us taking online lessons with your professor and getting through Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting.

But we've made some incredible music along the way.

Not to mention, we've created some really great friends, the friends that stay with you through the hard times that we've gone through together, and the ones that push you towards success, all with a smile on their face.

We all know that our class load is different from the other majors.

You hear people complaining about having one to two classes a day and all of us are sitting over here doing eight classes a day, not including practice time, but what makes it easier are the friends that you meet in the College of Music along the way.

The ones that knock on your practice room door to tell you how good you sound or ask to play or sing with you, the friend that drags you out of the practice room at 10:00 PM to late night at the Union 'cause you both know you haven't eaten anything.

These are lifelong friends and experiences that I definitely took for granted throughout this journey.

These are the things I'm gonna miss the most.

While at MSU, I've attended quite the array of concerts.

I specifically remember one concert in Wharton Center.

Concert band and campus band were performing and concert band was performing this piece called "Home Away From Home" by Catherine Likhuta.

Her program notes to the piece read, "I was born and raised in Ukraine and then lived in the US before moving permanently to Australia in 2012.

As a result, all three countries became home to me and I always miss them and my friends in each of them when I'm away.

I feel equally at home in all three."

It so happened that this piece was commissioned just before my family and I went on sabbatical to New York from Australia for six months and also stopping by Ukraine on our way there.

It was a very special time filled with somewhat forgotten, youthful thrill, wonderful reunions, and nostalgic experiences.

It made me realize that in a way, each of these three places is my home away from home.

I reflected on that thought and also started thinking about the university freshman students for whom I was writing the piece, who just left their parents' nest and we're finding their home away from home and their new life and community on campus.

It is an exciting yet emotional time for them and I wanted to reflect that in the piece.

We were those freshmen at one time and little did we know that even today as we graduate and move on, the College of Music will always be our home away from home.

There is an immediate sense of security and community when you first arrive that continues to grow throughout our time.

This sense of home and community has changed all of us.

I feel there is no better piece to characterize our time in the university and the home that will continue to always be a home as we move on to the next chapter of our lives.

I hope as we all go our separate ways, we take a piece of the College of Music and spread it like wildfire within our classrooms, performance venues, pieces that we compose, and continually spreading what we've learned from the College of Music at Michigan State University.

There is no better place to learn from, to grow from, and to be a part of.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon.

I'm Christine Bastian, assistant Dean for Operations and Strategic Initiatives.

Would you now welcome to the stage graduating seniors, Divira Pahwa, Eliza Beutler, Riley Piazzon, Kevon Thompson, Colin Dewitt, and Philip Rorogen who will perform "Fare You Well, We'll Meet Again" from "The Magic Flute," composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

(audience applauding and cheering) (cheerful piano music) ♪ Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm ♪ ♪ I plainly see what you have suffered ♪ ♪ Your tongue is under lock and key ♪ ♪ Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm ♪ ♪ But there's no help that I can offer ♪ ♪ I have no way to set you free ♪ ♪ Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm ♪ ♪ There is no help ♪ ♪ That I can offer ♪ ♪ I have no way to set you free ♪ ♪ Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm ♪ ♪ I have no way to set you free ♪ ♪ I have no way to set you free ♪ (whimsical piano music) ♪ Our queen has heard your anxious plea ♪ ♪ And her command has set you free ♪ ♪ Now Papageno's free to chatter ♪ ♪ No lying, that's a serious matter ♪ ♪ I'll never tell another lie ♪ ♪ This padlock warns you not to try ♪ ♪ This padlock warns me not ♪ ♪ This golden padlock warns you not ♪ ♪ If lying lips could all be fettered ♪ ♪ If such a lock could close them tight ♪ ♪ Then slander, hate, and lies would vanish ♪ ♪ And all would be in love and light ♪ ♪ Then slander, hate, and lies would vanish ♪ ♪ And all would live in love and light ♪ (jaunty piano music) ♪ Oh Prince receive this gift from me ♪ ♪ Our queen bestows it by my hand ♪ ♪ This magic flute she deigns to send you ♪ ♪ In this great hour it will defend you ♪ ♪ And by this flute great powers are granted ♪ ♪ All human souls can be enchanted ♪ ♪ For those who grieve forget their pain ♪ ♪ And stony hearts grow mild again ♪ ♪ Ah, no precious jewel or shining gold ♪ (students singing indistinctly) ♪ This magic flute ♪ (students singing indistinctly) ♪ Now you lovely ladies tell me ♪ ♪ May I take my leave of you ♪ ♪ Not until you've heard us tell you ♪ ♪ What the queen would have you do ♪ ♪ You must go with Prince Tamino ♪ ♪ To Sarastro's mighty castle ♪ ♪ No, I beg you, no not I ♪ ♪ You yourselves have made it plain ♪ ♪ That he's like a savage beast ♪ ♪ If Sarastro's got you (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Or he'll feed me to his dogs ♪ ♪ Then go with the Prince and have no fear ♪ ♪ For you'll be safe when he is near ♪ ♪ Oh may the devil take the stranger ♪ ♪ I have no wish to die ♪ ♪ And at the slightest sign of danger ♪ ♪ I am sure he will fly ♪ (bell tinkling) ♪ But see what we have brought for you ♪ ♪ My my, whatever can it be ♪ ♪ Can you hear its merry jingling ♪ ♪ It sets my fingertips a-tingling ♪ ♪ And you can play it when you please ♪ ♪ Bells of silver, thus enchanted ♪ ♪ Sure defense to you is granted ♪ ♪ Fare you well ♪ ♪ Your task is plain ♪ ♪ Fare you well, we'll meet again ♪ ♪ Fare you well, we'll meet again ♪ ♪ But fairest ladies, tell me pray ♪ ♪ Who'd be our guide and show the way ♪ ♪ Who'd be our guide to show the way ♪ ♪ Who'd be our guide and show the way ♪ (gentle piano music) ♪ These charming students ♪ ♪ They will guide you along your road ♪ ♪ They'll stay beside you ♪ ♪ And if their counsel you obey ♪ ♪ Then from your path you will never stray ♪ ♪ These charming students ♪ ♪ They will guide us along our way ♪ ♪ They'll stay beside us ♪ ♪ And if their counsel you obey ♪ ♪ Then from your path you will never stray ♪ ♪ So fare you well ♪ ♪ Our task is plain ♪ ♪ Farewell, farewell, we'll meet again ♪ ♪ So fare you well, your task is plain ♪ ♪ Farewell, farewell, we'll meet again ♪ ♪ We'll meet again ♪ ♪ We'll meet again ♪ ♪ We'll meet again ♪ ♪ We'll meet again ♪ (gentle piano music) (audience applauding and cheering) - Good afternoon.

I'm Derek Fox, associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Creative Endeavors.

We now take the opportunity to present some special awards.

We have the pleasure of awarding the Dorothy J. and John D. Withrow Excellence in Teaching Award today.

This endowed award is given annually on the basis of peer review to exceptional members of the MSU College of Music faculty who have rendered distinguished service to the university and to the student body through excellence in instructional, performance, and or scholarly activities.

I'm pleased to present this year's recipient, Gordon Sly, with this pylon and cash stipend.

Congratulations Gordon.

(audience applauding) I'm also pleased to recognize three faculty members for special awards for which they have been selected.

Please hold your applause until all have been introduced.

Professor Yvonne Lamb, a 2024 MSU Teacher Scholar Award recipient.

Professor Zhou Tian, A 2024 MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award recipient.

And Professor Rodney Whitaker, just elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Congratulations to all.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Much as our graduation students will embark on a new phase of their lives, so too with a valued and cherished faculty member and colleague who has served MSU for the past 22 years.

Professor Ava Ordman, would you please stand and accept our deepest thanks and appreciation?

(audience applauding and cheering) I'm now pleased to introduce Dr. Mark Largent, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

(audience applauding) - Good afternoon.

I am so very happy to be here with you today.

I give my congratulations to the graduates, the families and friends of this year's graduating class from the office of the Provost and the office of the President.

I'm also here today to award the Featherstone Prize, the highest award that Michigan State University gives to one graduating senior each year.

It goes to a senior majoring in any discipline at all.

It exhibits an open and curious and creative approach to education and ideas.

A student who has demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering not only their own progress, but also in enriching the lives of others.

The student has to have demonstrated innovation and creativity and a deep commitment to community service.

Up until this point in your academic career, grades and test scores have weighed heavily on you.

For the last 17 years, we've told you how much they matter.

The Featherstone celebrates and centers as the best graduating student, an analysis that in fact ignores these because they don't define you and they don't define the opportunities that are available to you.

You may have considered the concept of this weekend's names.

We call it graduation and commencement, and it always seems a little bit odd.

It's the end, right?

How are we commencing?

The fact of the matter is, is this is a commencement for you to do what you came here to prepare to do.

And in that way, at a school like Michigan State University, that prides itself in a land grant ethos, the Featherstone rewards precisely the things that matter, not your GPA or your test scores, but openness, curiosity, creativity, leadership, and a sincere commitment to helping and to advancing others.

And this year's winner most certainly demonstrates these qualities.

So let me ask this year's winner, Aiden Binford, to come up and join me, please.

(audience applauding) Hey Aiden.

Alright, Aiden, stand here awkwardly while I talk about you if you would for a moment, please.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure to spend time with Aiden yet, let me introduce him to you as a double major in bassoon performance and journalism with a minor in documentary production.

He was a member of the Spartan marching band, playing the alto sax and a member of the Spartan drum line.

He served in local high school marching bands as percussion instructor and as a substitute teacher, and demonstrates a real zeal for creating knowledge through storytelling in both music and documentary film.

We had 90 nominations this year, 90 incredible graduating students.

Each one of them was asked to write an essay about themselves and submit letters of support.

Three finalists were chosen to be interviewed last week.

Each of them spent about 30 minutes with the committee and Aiden, throughout the first half of the interview, you did okay.

And I could see why he was nominated.

But to be honest, I had not seen the spark that my colleagues and I were looking for.

Near the end of the interview, one of my colleagues asked him a very canned question, a normal question, a normal question that I think this group of people have had to answer too often.

How do you think everything that you've gone through for the last four years has impacted you?

And I think, to be honest, my colleague was looking for the usual list.

Well, we didn't get prom.

We didn't get high school graduation.

The beginning of the pandemic was scary.

We spent our freshman year online alone, mostly away from campus.

Our sophomore year was a lot of online classes too.

Most of us were new to campus, just as new as sophomores as the freshmen were, which made things difficult and confusing.

Not to mention the dorms were packed to the gills and the dining halls weren't really open with plastic forks, trash cans, not enough employees.

And our junior year, we suffered that incredible tragedy.

And then it was followed by an embarrassing year, a year of embarrassing behaviors by some of our leaders, both locally and nationally.

It's been a tough four years.

That's the answer.

That's what we expected to hear.

And that's not what Aiden said.

Instead, he sat for a moment, a good 20 or 30 seconds, he stared at the table, he looked up and I saw the spark we were looking for.

He said, "How do I think everything that me and my colleagues have gone through over the last four years has impacted us?

I think it has given us the opportunity to learn how to be resilient, to learn how to support one another and to thrive no matter what."

And he went on for a couple minutes and talked about how you folks didn't find your way.

You made your way.

In this way, this Featherstone goes to all of you because what you've done for us has been downright inspiring.

And I will speak for every faculty member, every staff member, every administrator, all six football coaches and presidents, (audience laughing) and tell you how incredibly grateful we are for every one of you for showing us how you made your way.

Thank you.

We deeply appreciate you.

And Aiden, I really appreciate the opportunity to have heard how you all have done that.

So I wanna invite two colleagues who nominated Aiden to join us to talk briefly about what they told the selection committee that got him into that room last week.

Professor Zeldes from the College of Communication, Arts, and Sciences, and Professor Kroth from the College of Music.

Professor Zeldes.

(audience applauding) - So Aiden, I introduced myself to your parents before this ceremony and I shared with them that you were this year's recipient of the Featherstone Prize.

And their response was, I didn't know that.

And it came as breaking news to them and their response was, but that's Aiden.

And so what I wrote in the very introduction of this award was you are a student who I am lucky to meet only once every decade or maybe even once every generation.

So in my documentary film class in which you created this amazing short called "Second Home," it's about MSU, you have this innate ability to weave in natural sounds and you compose this music and you bolstered the scene.

And you did it again for another documentary film that we collaborated on called "Boogie Bob and Chuck Berry."

And on top of that, recently you edited another film that has this seeming breathless timing to it.

And you took a page from Woodstock and you used these panels to tell the story.

And that is just, I think, the beginning of your story.

So I thank you, Aiden, for being the kind of person who doesn't share stuff because you want to bring yourself up.

But today I am going to bring you up and say that you are amazing.

And I am so grateful that I got an opportunity to meet you.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding) - Thank you.

- Still awkwardly standing.

(laughs) Aiden began his lessons with me virtually.

And as you all know, that was a very difficult time.

And progress was slow during that time because there were so many interferences in what we typically do in applied lessons.

And we got to a point, and it was Aiden's doing, I mean, setting up a space, microphone, and you know how we did, video cameras on microphones, trying to make it sound like your Zoom session was musician's sound on, all of that.

There was a point in which Aiden just started to excel.

Every etude I threw in front of him, every exercise, every piece was ready for the next time.

And then it was not enough to do one at a time.

We moved forward faster and faster.

And I think what makes this so telling about Aiden's kind of enthusiasm for being better than he was before, moved into a place when he did research projects that were outside of what anything I was expecting.

Research project in Eastern Block composers, a complete recital filled with composers that we have not done here before.

Incredible research projects.

And that's why it was so easy for me to nominate him because I believe he really exemplifies what the Featherstone Prize is.

And so congratulations, Aiden, and thank you for being a great student.

(audience applauding) - Thank you.

- There you are.

- Well, good afternoon.

I'm Michael Kroft, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

At the April Board of Trustees meeting, 272 students from all graduating seniors were recognized with Board of Trustees awards for having the highest cumulative scholarly records by the close of the preceding semester.

I would like to recognize Kelly Bohan, Eli Hilborn, and Katherine Pilbeam, who are recipients of the 2024 Board of Trustees Award.

Kelly, Eli, and Catherine, would you please stand and be recognized?

(audience applauding and cheering) I would like to ask Professor Arris Golden to join me at the podium to share the announcement of this next award.

The recipient of the 2024 College of Music outstanding senior award is Katherine Pilbeam.

Catherine, would you join us at the podium please?

(audience applauding and cheering) - It is my pleasure to congratulate Catherine on this well-deserved award and to speak to her accomplishments during her time with us at MSU.

Catherine has been involved in multiple performance ensembles and opportunities while here at MSU, including our Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, Music 21, and the Spartan Marching Band.

She's also performed as a member of our honors Brass Quintets, competing as a finalist in our Barbara Wagner chamber competition for the past two years.

In each of these groups, Catherine has truly been a leader and her motivation to continually develop her musicianship and teaching abilities has distinguished her amongst her peers.

Please join me again in congratulating Catherine on this much deserved award.

(audience applauding) - Congratulations.

- Thank you so much.

- Students who participate in and fulfill the requirements of the Honors College by completing enriched programs of study are identified as graduating with Honors college distinction.

These graduates wear a white collar stole with the HC designation.

Would those students who are graduating as members of the Honors College please stand to be recognized?

(audience applauding) Students who attain a grade point average of 3.97 and higher are awarded University High Honor.

University Honor is awarded to students who have earned grade point averages of 3.88 to 3.96.

The gold cord added to the academic robes designates these honors.

Would all students who are graduating with high honor and with honor, please stand and accept our congratulations?

(audience applauding) In recognition of Michigan State University's ongoing commitment to education abroad, I ask all graduates who participated in an education abroad program while at MSU to please stand and be recognized.

(audience applauding) Many College of Music students give their time and talents to important outreach and engagement activities.

These have included participation in the college's Beacon Hill concert series, sensory friendly concerts, educational engagement residency programs, and early childhood classes at the Community Music School, among many other programs.

Would those graduating seniors who have participated in community outreach activities, please stand and be recognized?

(audience applauding) In November, 2015, the College of Music established two working groups focused on diversity and inclusion.

One group consists of faculty and staff members selected to represent all disciplines and areas of study within the college.

The second group comprises students chosen based on recommendations from faculty and staff representing both graduate and undergraduate levels across various disciplines in the college.

Since their inception, these groups have met both collectively and independently to develop strategies for enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the college and the broader campus community.

Their collaborative efforts alongside the college's steadfast commitment to advancing these principles have resulted in a recent bylaws revision.

The revision solidifies the DEI committee's status as a permanent standing committee within the college.

If you are among those serving on these groups, please stand to be recognized.

Faculty as well, yeah, faculty and students.

(audience applauding) - Would you please welcome to the stage the Grand River Brass with Mark Davis, Jon-Michael Taylor, and graduating seniors, Catherine Pilbeam, Maxwell Kowal, and RJ McLaren, who will perform "Allegro Vivo and Largo" from "The Sonatine" for brass quintet composed by Eugene Bozza.

(audience applauding) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (audience applauding) (foreboding brass music) (uplifting brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (energetic brass music) (audience applauding and cheering) - As we get ready for conferral of degrees, I'd like to thank our colleagues, the Wharton Center staff, who have really helped move this stage along in complicated ways.

(audience applauding) At this time, we shall begin the conferral of the Baccalaureate degree upon candidates from the major disciplines of the College of Music.

I will now ask the area chairpersons and distinguished colleagues to come forward and read the names of the graduates.

I'm pleased to introduce Dr. Gordon Sly, Professor of Music Theory.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in music, please come forward.

Catherine Beatrice Sundeen.

(audience applauding and cheering) Connor Joseph Bergman.

(audience applauding and cheering) Charlotte Platsky.

(audience applauding and cheering) I'm pleased to introduce my colleague, Ricardo Lorenz, Chair of Composition.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition, please come forward.

Jonah Weber.

(audience applauding and cheering) Go ahead in.

(audience laughing) There it is.

Maxwell Kowal.

(audience applauding and cheering) Now it's my pleasure to introduce to you my colleague, Rodney Whitaker, director of Jazz Studies.

(audience applauding and cheering) - Samuel Avendano.

(audience applauding and cheering) Wyatt Harris.

(audience applauding and cheering) Joshua Hezekiah Watkins.

(audience applauding and cheering) What's your name?

Oh, Sarah Whitaker.

(audience applauding and cheering) Devine Wade.

(audience applauding and cheering) Pablo Andreas Muller-Santiago.

(audience applauding and cheering) Thomas Noble.

(audience applauding and cheering) Levi Taple.

(audience applauding and cheering) Maximilian Jubilee Gage.

(audience applauding and cheering) I'm pleased to introduce my colleague from Music Education, Chair of Music Ed, Karen Salvador.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, please come forward.

Kody Grube.

(audience applauding and cheering) Angeline Marie Coleman.

(audience applauding and cheering) Blake Koschmider.

(audience applauding and cheering) Samantha Lynne Barringer.

(audience applauding and cheering) Benjamin Kessler.

(audience applauding and cheering) Derrick Gehring.

(audience applauding and cheering) Ursula Glassmacher.

(audience applauding and cheering) Matthew Weber.

(audience applauding and cheering) Jason M. Brown.

(audience applauding and cheering) Nick Bishop.

(audience applauding and cheering) Denise Carlson.

(audience applauding and cheering) Eliza Beutler.

(audience applauding and cheering) Brayden James Hunter.

(audience applauding and cheering) Oluwatobi Williams.

(audience applauding and cheering) Benjamin Goldstein.

(audience applauding and cheering) Colin Dewitt.

(audience applauding and cheering) Congratulations.

Katherine Jerent Pilbeam.

(audience applauding and cheering) I'm pleased to introduce my colleague, Richard Fracker, Chair of the Vocal Arts area.

(audience applauding) - Will the candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance, please come forward.

Kayvon Thompson.

(audience applauding and cheering) DeVera Pawach.

(audience applauding and cheering) Riley Pizon.

(audience applauding and cheering) Anna Marie Jesko.

(audience applauding and cheering) Blake Yvonne Phillips.

(audience applauding and cheering) Kelly Bohan.

(audience applauding and cheering) Anqi Huang.

(audience applauding and cheering) Philip Harris Rorogen.

(audience applauding and cheering) Nathan John Marsh.

(audience applauding and cheering) Aiden Binford.

(audience applauding and cheering) Owen Robinson.

(audience applauding and cheering) Zachary Jeehoon Lee Costello.

(audience applauding and cheering) Michael Ethier.

(audience applauding and cheering) Elizabeth Renee Simpson.

(audience applauding and cheering) Eli Hillborn.

(audience applauding and cheering) Daniela Sesi.

(audience applauding and cheering) Colin Davidson.

(audience applauding and cheering) RJ McLaren.

(audience applauding and cheering) - As we will now confer degrees, I ask the degree candidates to please stand.

Would Trustee Tebay join me for the conferral?

On behalf of President Gusciewicz, who has delegated to me the authority of the state of Michigan vested in the board of trustees, I confer upon all of you the degrees for which you have been recommended with all the rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

I now ask each of you to move your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left side, signifying your admission to the community of scholars and the fact that you are indeed graduates of Michigan State University.

Congratulations.

(audience applauding and cheering) I now invite all to rise and to sing both verses of the alma mater, led by graduating senior Denise Carlson and graduating seniors Nick Bishop and Anqi Huang.

Lyrics can be found in the program, the handout.

Following the alma mater, we ask that the audience be seated until the platform party, faculty, and graduates have recessed.

(audience applauding and cheering) (upbeat piano music) ♪ MSU we love thy shadows ♪ ♪ When twilight silence falls ♪ ♪ Flushing deep and softly paling ♪ ♪ O'er ivy-covered halls ♪ ♪ Beneath the pines we'll gather ♪ ♪ To give our faith so true ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises, MSU ♪ ♪ When from these scenes we wander ♪ ♪ And twilight shadows fade ♪ ♪ Our mem'ry still will linger ♪ ♪ Where light and shadows played ♪ ♪ In the evening oft we'll gather ♪ ♪ And pledge our faith anew ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises, MSU ♪ (audience applauding and cheering) (upbeat swing music) (upbeat swing music) ♪ Rah rah rah ♪ (upbeat swing music) (upbeat swing music) (upbeat swing music) (audience applauding and cheering)