Oliver Stark, a master's euphonium performance student of Gene Pokorny and Matthew Gaunt, will present the student address at the Bienen School of Music's 2025 Convocation on Saturday, June 14, at noon in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Oliver is a conductor, performer, and educator from Perth, Western Australia. Prior to his move to the United States, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Western Australia. Following his upcoming graduation, he will remain at Northwestern to complete further graduate studies in wind conducting with Robert Taylor.

Aurum Brass Quintet—with Sarah Heimberg and William Lewis on trumpet, Lily Kern on French horn, Noah Eder on trombone, and Chrisjovan Masso on tuba—will perform the Convocation prelude, processional, and other musical accompaniment. Formed in 2024 at the Bienen School and brought together by a shared passion for chamber music, the group blends technical precision with vibrant musicality across a wide-ranging repertoire—from classical and contemporary works to jazz and popular tunes.

Percussionists Simeon Lee, Blake Parker, Christian Santos, and Stephen Symank  will perform a musical interlude during the ceremony led by associate professor She-e Wu. Their Samba Batucada performance will immediately follow an address by keynote speaker Deborah Rutter.

Convocation will be live streamed. More information will be posted on the Bienen School's Graduation webpage when available. 

Photos, top (clockwise from left): Oliver Stark, Aurum Brass Quintet, She-e Wu