At 2025 Convocation, a call for generosity

On Thursday, September 4, students, families, friends, and faculty gathered in Morse Recital Hall to mark the beginning of the academic year at the School’s annual Convocation celebration.

The evening began with a welcome address by José García-León, the Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music, in which he encouraged the audience to think of “music itself [as] an act of generosity.”

“Kindness can be simple, but surprisingly powerful. It’s the quiet strength that sustains communities and forms the foundation for deep artistry,” he said. “The world needs what you do. We are living in a time when divisions run deep, and the arts are often undervalued or misunderstood. Yet music has always been a force that brings people together, that crosses language and culture, and that reminds us of our shared humanity.”

Shifting from the power of music to the power of listening, Dean García-León continued: “As musicians, we learn to listen for nuance, for what lies between the notes; I hope we can do the same for one another.”

In his final remarks, García-León offered a vision for the year ahead: “As we begin this new academic year, let us commit to more than just excellence; let’s commit to generosity. Let’s create a culture where we support one another’s growth, celebrate one another’s successes, and carry each other through challenges.”

The evening’s program also showcased the breadth and talent of the YSM community. João Luiz Rezende, newly appointed guitar faculty member, performed works by Dowland, Villa-Lobos, and Leo Brouwer. He was joined by bass-baritone Justice Yates ’25MM ’26MMA for selections from Carlos Guastavino’s Flores Argentinas. Yates also performed “Voilà, donc la terrible cité” from Massenet’s Thaïs, accompanied by Gerald Martin Moore on piano.

Violinist Ariel Horowitz ’19MM ’20MMA played pieces by Kreisler and Beach with pianist Jiarong Li, and shared an original solo composition. As is tradition, the evening’s performances concluded with Schubert’s An die Musik, led this year by Rezende, Horowitz, and Yates.

At the end of the ceremony, attendees gathered at the  Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library for a reception, basking in the evening’s artistry and contemplating García-León’s call to action.