Commencement Weekend 2017

The Cleveland Institute of Music celebrated its 92nd Commencement last weekend. The Commencement Weekend festivities officially kicked off on Friday, May 19 with the Honors Convocation Ceremony. In addition to the presentation of the Dean’s Awards and Annual Prizes, alumnus Mark Williams (BM ’02, King/Solis) received the 2017 Alumni Achievement Award. The Honors Convocation Address was given by CIM faculty and alumnus Jason Vieaux (BM ’95, Holmquist) who receive the Distinguished Alumni Award at Commencement on Saturday.

Also during Saturday’s Commencement Ceremony, the graduating class heard a keynote address from Robert Vernon, this year’s Honorary Doctor of Music recipient. Vernon serves as co-head of the viola department at CIM and is Principal Viola Emeritus of The Cleveland Orchestra, a title he earned after serving 40 years as principal viola, the longest-tenured string principal in the Orchestra’s history. Read the full announcement naming Robert Vernon as the commencement speaker.

Watch Vernon's keynote address along with the rest of the 2017 Commencement Ceremony.