Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

The Yale School of Music's Commencement ceremony will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 12PM, in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall, following the Yale University ceremony on Old Campus. 

During our ceremony, we will acknowledge the conferral of degrees and announce the recipients of student commencement prizes.  

Please join us on May 18 to celebrate the YSM Class of 2026! 

 

Key deadlines for graduating students 

Contact YSM Student Services with questions regarding these deadlines. 

Cap and gown order deadline
Fri, Mar. 27 | 4PM EDT
Caps and gowns are required at University and YSM commencement ceremonies. Place your order here.  

Diploma Name deadline
Mon, Apr. 6 | 11:59PM EDT
Check your name in Yale Hub: click the Commencement tab, then click Diploma Name. Click here to submit any Diploma Name changes, including requests for any diacriticals or special characters.
You can confirm your name, or request changes. Your name will be printed on your diploma exactly as it is listed under Diploma Name. If you do not confirm your diploma name, it will be printed with the name that is on file; reprints will not be made. University policy allows students to indicate a preferred first name different from their legal first name on their diploma. 

Diploma address deadline
Mon, Apr. 6 | 11:59PM EDT
Check your diploma address in Yale Hub: click the Commencement tab. Your diploma address should be valid for at least six months after commencement. P.O. Boxes are not accepted.

Final deadline to order cap and gown ($10 late fee) 
Wed, Apr. 8 | 4PM EDT
Place your order here. Regalia cannot be ordered after this date.

Name-pronunciation deadline
Wed, Apr. 15 | 11:59PM EDT
During the YSM Commencement ceremony, Deputy Dean Berry reads the name of each student as they are handed their diploma. We want to make sure that he pronounces your name correctly: please send a voice recording of you saying your Diploma Name, spoken slowly and clearly, to Marika Basagoitia (marika.basagoitia@yale.edu).

Deadline to request Old Campus guest tickets
Sat, Apr. 25 | 11:59 PM EDT
Your guests must have tickets to attend the Old Campus ceremony. You will receive up to 2 guest tickets and can enter the lottery for additional tickets. Register for tickets here; see details and instructions here. Refer to emails from University Events (university.events@yale.edu).

Pick up Old Campus guest tickets
Wed, May 13 through Mon, May 18 | Payne Whitney Gymnasium
See the schedule and distribution details here.

Pick up regalia
Wed, May 13 through Sun, May 17  | Payne Whitney Gymnasium
See the distribution details and schedule here.  

Deadline to complete the Graduating Student Survey
Fri, May 15 | 11:59PM EDT
Click here to access and complete the survey (estimated completion time of ~10 minutes.)

YSM Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal
Fri, May 15 | 11:30AM - 12:30PM
This rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating YSM students who plan to walk in the ceremony. Meet in the Adams Center Atrium to practice the procession to Sprague Hall. A reception will follow in the Adams Center. 

Yale School of Music Commencement Events: Information for guests and graduating students

Contact Justina Sullivan with questions regarding these Commencement events. 

Please visit the Yale University Commencement webpage for guidance on transportation, directions, and parking, the rain plan, public safety, and more. 

YSM Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal 
Fri, May 15 | 11:30AM -12:30PM EDT
This rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating YSM students who plan to walk in the ceremony. Meet in the Adams Center Atrium to practice the procession to Sprague Hall. A reception will follow in the Adams Center. 

YSM Commencement Concert 
Sun, May 17 | 3PM EDT | Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall
A showcase concert performed by graduating YSM students.
Free. Tickets and reservations not required | More info  

YSM Continental Breakfast 
Mon, May 18 | 8-9:30AM EDT | The Elm City Club (155 Elm St.) 
Open to graduating YSM students, faculty, staff, and their guests.

After breakfast: 

Graduating YSM students should assemble on Cross Campus behind WLH.  
Guests attending the Old Campus ceremony should proceed directly to Old Campus. 

University Commencement Ceremony 
Mon, May 18 | 10:30AM EDT | Old Campus | More info 

  • Graduating students in regalia walk in procession with their school and do not need a ticket. 

  • To enter Old Campus, guests must present a ticket. Click here for details.

  • YSM guests who are not attending the Old Campus ceremony can view the livestream in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall. 

Immediately following the Old Campus ceremony: 

YSM graduates assemble at the Adams Center to walk in procession to Morse Recital Hall.
Guests should proceed directly from Old Campus to Morse Recital Hall to secure their seats. 

YSM Commencement Ceremony 
Mon, May 18 | 12PM EDT | Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall
Reservations and tickets are not required for this event. 

YSM Luncheon 
Mon, May 18 | 1:30PM EDT | The Elm City Club (155 Elm St.) 
Open to YSM graduates, faculty, staff, and their guests.