On Thursday, August 28, Dean Kate Sheeran officially opened the 2025–26 academic year at Eastman’s convocation in Kilbourn Hall. The annual tradition—open to all students, faculty, and staff—serves as both a welcome and a chance to set the tone for the months ahead.

The afternoon unfolded with a palpable sense of festivity. Dean Sheeran was joined at the podium by University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf and Provost Nicole Sampson. Sampson used the occasion to introduce three new faculty members: Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Otis Brown III, drum set; Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Marshall Gilkes, trombone; and Associate Professor of Music and Technology Dennis DeSantis ’05E (DMA). Their presence signals Eastman’s continuing commitment to innovation across styles and disciplines.

SING ALONG: The audience joined together in singing Fauré’s Sanctus while student musicians played and sang from every corner of the hall. Photo Credit: Lauren Sageer.

Before Sheeran’s keynote address, the audience was invited to join in for a stirring sing-along of the “Sanctus” from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in D Minor, Op. 48. Conductor William Weinert guided the performance from the stage while student musicians led in song and played from every corner of the hall. As voices rose in harmony, the moment became a shared acknowledgment for the upcoming year.

When the hall grew quiet again, Sheeran turned to a treasured artifact: Eastman’s historic guestbook. Its pages, marked by the signatures and musings of past visitors, became her touchstone. She shared lines from legendary artists, using their words to encourage the incoming class to leave their own marks, both on campus and in the wider world.

“It can be a bit overwhelming to reflect on the legacy of the Eastman School of Music,” shared Sheeran. “But I found that looking at the pages in this book humanizes that legacy, reminds us of our many important accomplishments, and charges us with continually innovating and shaping the future of music. You are all part of this legacy and critical to our future.”

TREASURED ARTIFACT: Dean Sheeran holds up Eastman’s famed guestbook during her 2025 convocation speech.

The music did not stop there. Brown, one of the newly welcomed faculty, took his place at the drums, joined by fellow Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media faculty Jeff Campbell ’92E (MM), ’02E (DMA), bass; Sara Gazarek, voice; Christine Jensen, saxophone; and visiting instructor Manuel Valera, piano. Together they delivered soulful renditions of Horace Silver’s “Peace” and Thelonious Monk’s “Evidence” (video featured at top of page), which were met with loud roars of appreciation.

INTRODUCING OTIS BROWN III: ESM’s new Assistant Professor of Jazz Drum Set. Photo Credit: Lauren Sageer.

Convocation also became the stage for a quieter but significant debut, offering a first look at Eastman’s upgraded performance technology. Earlier that day, the school announced the installation of new Sony 4K cinema cameras in every concert hall on campus, greatly enhancing livestream quality. The ceremony doubled as the first showcase for these high-definition visuals and multi-camera capability, ensuring audiences worldwide can experience Eastman performances with greater clarity than ever before.

As the ceremony concluded, the celebration continued outside with the year’s first Club Eastman. Despite the threat of rain, Gibbs Street was closed to traffic and transformed into a lively gathering space, complete with food trucks, giveaways, booths from club organizations and offices, and a chance for students, faculty, and staff to connect.

The day’s events, from the music in Kilbourn to the outdoor festivities, underscored a common theme of renewal and connection. Convocation offered more than an official welcome for Eastman’s growing community—it was a glimpse of the artistry, energy, and spirit that will shape the year to come.

LET’S CELEBRATE: Following Convocation, we gathered for the first Club Eastman and Student Activities Fair of the year! Photo Credit: Lauren Sageer.