In a virtual Class Day ceremony this afternoon, students, faculty, and staff joined together over Zoom to honor and send off the remarkable students in the Class of 2020. The proceedings featured tributes from faculty members, excerpts from senior theses and recitals, and the presentation of awards.
Department Chair Professor Wendy Heller noted:
“In the midst of the pandemic, our students amazed us with their extraordinary senior thesis presentations and their brilliant streamed recitals from their living rooms, showing us not only how much they will contribute to the arts and society in the future, but also the power of music to heal in times of trauma. Today, as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020, we also thank them for everything they have taught us. As we think ahead to the Fall semester and the inevitable challenges ahead, it is their pioneering spirit, their willingness to experiment, and sense of purpose that will inspire us. We owe them much!”
Congratulations to:
DEPARTMENT MAJORS
Eli Berman, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Xibuccal Instruments: Designing Expanded and Interconnected Vocal Tracts, advised by Prof. Dan Trueman
Hansini Bhasker, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Nirvana – A Through-Composed Vocal Sound Piece in 6 Movements, advised by Andrew Lovett
Andrew Damian, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Unsung Liturgy – A Composition for 12-Piece Orchestra, advised by Juri Seo
Joseph Gelb, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Suburban Fringe – A composition exploring changes in landscape as one journeys out of the city, advised by Dmitri Tymoczko
John Nydam, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Cluster Suite: 4 Movements for 7-Piece Jazz Ensemble, advised by Dmitri Tymoczko
Timothy Ruszala, Musicology
SENIOR THESIS: Three Views of Musical Mountains in the 19th Century, advised by Simon Morrison
Allison Spann, Composition
SENIOR THESIS: Water Play: An Anti-Disciplinary Work for Dehydrated Bodies, advised by Andrew Lovett
STUDENTS RECEIVING CERTIFICATES IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Hansini Bhasker, Voice, coached by Sarah Pelletier
Reilly Bova, Conducting, coached by Michael Pratt
Janice Cheon, Baroque Violin, coached by Nancy Wilson & Classical Violin, coached by Anna Lim
Cara Giovanetti, Tuba, coached by Brian Brown
Haeun Jung Violin, coached by Anna Lim
Hanson Kang, Clarinet, coached by Jo-Ann Sternberg
Leland Ko, Cello, coached by Alberto Parrini
Katie Liu, Viola, coached by Eric Wyrick
Jonathan Makepeace, Voice, coached by David Kellett
Hana Mundiya, Classical Violin, coached by Eric Wyrick & Baroque Violin, coached by Nancy Wilson
Megan Ormsbee, Voice, coached by Martha Elliott
Henry Peters, Percussion, coached by John Ferrari
Yang Song, Clarinet, coached by Jo-Ann Sternberg
Allison Spann, Voice, coached by David Kellett
Catherine Sweeney, Voice, coached by David Kellett
Jacob Williams, French Horn, coached by Chris Komer
Harry Xi, Piano, coached by Francine Kay
STUDENTS RECEIVING CERTIFICATES IN COMPOSITION
Cara Giovanetti, coached by Jeffrey Snyder
Matthew Helm, coached by Daniel Trueman
STUDENTS RECEIVING CERTIFICATES IN CONSORT MUSIC
Eli Berman, coached by David Kellett
Charles Hemler, coached by David Kellett
Meredith Hooper, coached by Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek
Thomas Jankovic, coached by Kevin Deas
Madeline Kushan, coached by Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek
STUDENTS RECEIVING CERTIFICATES IN JAZZ STUDIES
Will Steidl, Jazz Trombone, coached by David Miller
Danielle Stephenson, Jazz Voice, coached by Trineice Robinson-Martin
DEPARTMENT HONORS
Highest Honors, Summa Cum Laude: Eli Berman, Hansini Bhasker, Joseph Gelb, John Nydam, Timothy Ruszala
High Honors, Magna Cum Laude: Allison Spann
Honors, Cum Laude: Andrew Damian
SENIOR AWARDS
Isidore and Helen Sacks Memorial Prize
Awarded to a student or students who have made exceptional contributions to the artistic life of the Music Department through excellence in music performance or composition.
Haeun Jung & Alex Laurenzi
Edward T. Cone Memorial Prize
In memory of Edward T. Cone, a faculty member in the department who was a music theorist, composer, and performer—an engaging and thoughtful musician and musical thinker. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who demonstrates mastery of multiple areas of music, including performance, composition, and music scholarship.
Eli Berman & Allison Spann
Anthony H.P. Lee ’79 P11 P14 Jazz Studies Prize
Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence as a jazz performer, composer, and student of a musical tradition that has long been recognized for its historical and cultural significance, artistic innovation, and far reaching influence.
Danielle Stephenson
Asher Hinds Prize in European Cultural Studies
Awarded by the Program in European Cultural Studies (ECS)
This prize was established in memory of Professor Asher Hinds, one of the leaders of the Special Program in the Humanities, which later became the Program in American Studies and the Program in European Cultural Studies. Professor Hinds was remembered with particular affection by his students and colleagues, who established this prize in his memory. The prize is awarded annually in recognition of the best senior thesis completed by an ECS certificate student.
Timothy Ruszala, co-recipient
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GREAT CLASS OF 2020!
