ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Eastman School of Music 82nd annual commencement ceremony for undergraduate and master’s degree students is set for 11:15 a.m., Sunday, May 20 at the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. (The doctoral commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.) More than 200 students will receive their degrees, and the Eastman Luminary Award will be presented to Christopher Seaman, the music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, for his work in supporting music and the arts nationally and locally with the RPO and the Greater Rochester community. Seaman will also give the Commencement address. The title of his talk is "Conducting Your Life."
Christopher Seaman, one of today’s leading conductors, will celebrate his tenth season as music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007-2008. This internationally renowned British conductor has become an integral part of the RPO and the greater Rochester community, and is recognized as having raised the artistic level of the Orchestra to its present excellence.
He has had highly successful tenures as conductor-in-residence at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony and the Northern Sinfonia. Highly sought-after as a guest conductor throughout the world and noted for his strong command of a broad repertoire, Mr. Seaman has regular engagements in North America, Israel, Europe, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Great Britain.
The Eastman Luminary Award is given by the Eastman School of Music to individuals who have not only given extraordinary service to music and the arts at the national level, but who have also worked to support the arts at the community level. The first Eastman Luminary Award was given at the 2006 Commencement to Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.
The Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester educates talented musicians from around the world who become leaders and innovators in all fields of music. Established in 1921 by Eastman Kodak Company founder and visionary George Eastman, the School has achieved international prominence through its commitment to the highest standards of artistry, scholarship, and leadership.
Christopher Seaman
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