Commencement 2018
More than 1,000 graduates from 72 countries and 38 U.S. states received degrees on May 12 at Berklee’s commencement ceremony. Berklee President Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctor of music degrees to music legends Rosanne Cash, Nile Rodgers, and Esperanza Spalding. Spalding, a 2005 graduate of the college, delivered the commencement address to the graduating class and an estimated audience of nearly 7,000 guests at the Agganis Arena. The annual commencement concert, held the previous evening at the Agganis, featured some of the college’s most accomplished students paying tribute to the honorees. The event also featured surprise performances by Spalding, who performed “Radio Song” with the Berklee Global Jazz Ensemble, and Cash, who performed “When the Master Calls the Roll” with a group of Berklee students.
Watch Spalding's full address: