Sunday, May 19, 2019
The high point of Westminster Choir Colleges Commencement ceremony is Warren Martins Anthem of Dedication in which the graduating students sing Here am I, send me色 in response to the question sung by their classmates, 安hom shall we send?
This act of committing ones life to music symbolic for some and literal for others is a bond that connects all generations Westminster Choir College graduates.
On Friday, May 17, Westminster Choir College's Class of 2019 was sent and welcomed by alumni who journeyed to Princeton for Westminsters annual reunions, which culminated in the Commencement ceremony in the Princeton University Chapel.
It was a full two days of concerts, receptions, dinners and recognitions, beginning with gatherings on Thursday afternoon followed by a concert by the Westminster Jubilee Singers.
Friday began with the Alumni Chapel Service. The participants included the Reverend Kathryn Avery 74, who was the leader and homilist; Westminster Chapel Choir, conducted by Tom T. Shelton Jr. and graduate assistant conductor Emma Daniels and organist Timothy Hall 80, M.M. 89. Andrew Megill M.M. 89 made a moving tribute to Joseph Flummerfelt and conducted everyone in singing Brahms How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place and Allen Crowell 59, led everyone in singing the Lutkin Benediction at the conclusion of the service.
The Westminster Williamson Voices, conducted by James Jordan, performed after the Chapel Service. Their program included excerpts from James Whitbourns Annelies, which the ensemble performed at the Washington National Cathedral in April. They concluded with singing Joseph Flummerfelts arrangement of Danny Boy, with no conductor on the podium. Needless to say, it was an emotion-filled conclusion.
Acting Alumni Council President Thomas Faracco led the Alumni Awards ceremony. Alumni Merit Awards were presented to Gerald Custer 75, Darren Dailey 89 and Timothy Hall 80, 89. A Westminster Merit Award was presented to Professor Phyllis Lehrer and a Westminster Service Award was presented to P. Randolph Hill. The Williamson Medal, the highest honor presented by the Westminster Choir College Alumni Association, which recognizes exceptional individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the life of Westminster Choir College, was presented to Professor Laura Brooks Rice.
Commencement was held at the Princeton University Chapel on Friday afternoon. Donald Nally 87 delivered the Commencement Address, and Professor James Goldsworthy delivered the Charge to the Graduating Classes. Lauren Sander 19 conducted by Anthem of the Graduating Classes, Forever, which was composed by sophomore Samuel Scheibe. An honorary Doctor of Music was presented to Nally.
The ceremony was live-streamed worldwide. After the video is processed it will be available for viewing on the Web.
A few sprinkles of rain didnt dampen the spirits of the families of the graduates and the alumni, who agreed that another outstanding class of musicians had indeed been sent.
Read Donald Nally's Address to the Graduating Classes.
Read James Goldsworthy's Charge to the Graduating Classes