The San Francisco Conservatory of Music's graduating class of 2016 wore their caps and gowns with pride today as they listened to remarks from both the leadership and fellow students at the institution's 2016 commencement. After a welcome from the Chair of SFCM's Board of Trustees, Timothy Foo, Provost and Dean Kate Sheeran introduced the student speakers for the ceremony, Collin Lee Whitfield and Michael Christopher Rosin. Inspired by the camaraderie and communal environment these students experienced, both shared poignant and humorous reflections on their time at the Conservatory.

"The achievements of one are only possible through the devoted service and selfless guidance of a community; and what a nurturing and supportive community we have here at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music," said Whitfield. "We have built a bedrock of incredible memories at this school, both inside and outside the classroom."

Immediately following, graduate student and tenor Kevin Gino performed a rendition of "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" from Franz Lehár's Das Land des Lächelns, a moment of pride for SFCM's voice faculty.

SFCM President David H. Stull introduced and conferred the honorary Doctor of Music degree to celebrated pianist Garrick Ohlsson. After Ohlsson provided comments that spanned humorous anecdotes from musical history to eloquent comments on the nature of music and the role of the musician in the world, he took to the piano and performed Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, an interpretation comprised of all the facets that make Ohlsson the ideal recipient of such distinction.

Addressing the graduates, President Stull remarked, "You have learned more than just how to create personal challenge, you have learned how to convert challenge into opportunity… This level of achievement requires great personal drive, determination, optimism; perhaps most importantly, a sense of adventure."

After watching their peers accept their hard-earned credentials, the 165 recipients of the bachelor and master of music degrees, the professional studies and post-graduate diplomas, and the artist certificates left the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall as newly minted graduates, ready for their next adventure.