Though SFCM celebrated its 107th year with its Convocation on Friday the 13th, there was no bad luck to be found.

SFCM President David Stull tosses a hat to a student.

The Conservatory's President, David H. Stull, welcomed students back for another year, with the theme of "Our world. Your opportunity," addressing the possibilities of technology like artificial intelligence. But, he noted, "If you're a student at SFCM, here's what you all have in common: None of you were able to cheat on your audition, not one of you. That sets you apart from 99% of the college students in America right now. You have no idea how valuable that skill is—that you were prepared to work, dedicate time to becoming better." (Stull also made sure to include a trivia section for students to earn SFCM merchandise.)

SFCM students at Convocation.

Stull emphasized that, for students, curiosity, practice, reflection, and time are the keys to their success not just in music, but in life. "Remember that the skills that you develop here will give you a phenomenal platform for success in any field, and that is why putting your head down and becoming great at what you're doing right now is so important. The skills you take away from that as a person, as a professional—no matter what path you choose, they're going to be be applicable, more so than just about anything you could do with your time right now."

Yolanda Zheng and Dean Ryan Brown.

Dean Ryan Brown awarded the annual Presser Undergraduate Scholarship, naming Yolanda Zheng (horn, '25) as the recipient. It's named for Theodore Presser, whose namesake company is the longest continually operating music publisher in the United States. Presser left the bulk of his fortune to the Presser Foundation, which supports music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.

Dean Jonas Wright presents Paul Welcomer with the Sarlo Award.

Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jonas Wright next awarded SFCM trombone faculty and Brass Choir director Paul Welcomer with the annual Sarlo Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. Wright recalled a dinner with Welcomer years ago when Wright asked him about the upcoming Winter Term where Welcomer explained his beer-brewing hobby, which has become a beloved mainstay of each year's Winter Term at SFCM. "No one goes into teaching for money or glory, but this recognition from my colleagues who know me well means a great deal to me," Welcomer quipped, before thanking his students. The Sarlo Foundation continues the work of George Sarlo, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1956 and became a dedicated philanthropist.

A brass choir performs at SFCM's 2024 Convocation.

Two SFCM alumni joined students as a brass choir to perform Madison Anglin's "The Green Sky," co-commissioned by SFCM as part of the Chromatic Brass Collective’s 2024 New Works Consortium. After Convocation, the first of SFCM's Donuts with the Deans events in the 2024-2025 season was held in the atrium of the Ann Getty Center for Education.

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