Orchestra director speaks to USU graduates as ‘Year of the Arts’ comes to a close
Photo by Matthew Halton
Bagpipe music filled the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday morning as the 131st commencement ceremony began, honoring 5,544 students who completed their undergraduate degrees at Utah State University.
Thierry Fischer, music director for the Utah Symphony Orchestra, President Noelle Cockett and university valedictorian Kenna McMurray spoke at the ceremony.
Cockett introduced Fischer by saying he believes “you can do great things, but only with a succession of small steps.”
Fischer brought up the topic of all the questions the graduating students have probably been asked, such as: “Have I done the right choice?” and “What is the next step going to be?”
“Those questions are a unique opportunity and a privilege,” Fischer said. “They shouldn’t be a burden.”
“These questions are an opportunity to make the world better. It is time to share your hopes and your dreams,” Fischer added.
About halfway through Fischer’s address, he asked the crowd, “Are you sleeping?” The crowd answered back with giggles, leading into his next question, “Do you know that song?”
Fischer instructed two different sections of the crowd to sing the nursery rhyme, “Are You Sleeping” one at a time while he conducted.
Fischer said that many things in life are about repetition. As an example, he instructed one of the groups to sing the song again, but louder.
“You can’t have failures define you; they have to teach you,” Fischer said.
Cockett said Fischer’s remarks were “the perfect capstone to our Year of the Arts celebration.”
Michelle Aguilar, an animal dairy science graduate, said it was a privilege to listen to Fischer speak.
“I appreciated his advice,” Aguilar said. “I think a lot of the points he spoke up were very true.”
Aguilar added that she and her husband are transfer students, and they saw the symphony while attending school in Salt Lake City.
“He is a musical mastermind,” Aguilar said. “He reinvents old pieces and comes up with new programs that have kept me and my husband coming.”
She added, “It’s not just your average everyday classical music.”
Fischer wasn’t just a speaker – he and three others were honorary doctorate recipients. Bartell C. Jensen was recognized with an honorary doctorate degree for his work with the Innovation Campus. John Stanley Welch received his honorary degree for being a founding partner of a law firm that employs 2,600 lawyers, serving clients in more than 30 offices worldwide. Gail Sorenson Williamsen received her honorary degree for providing funding for research examining best practices in early childhood education and Aggies Elevated, an innovative residential college program for students with intellectual disabilities.
@bjr24601