Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music!
Graduation Procedures
Undergraduates
See the Registrar’s Office for full Graduation Preparation Details and Deadlines.
Graduation
Northwestern University's 161st Annual Commencement
Friday, June 21, 2019
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
(Gates open at 8:00 a.m.)
Ryan Field
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
Tickets are required for this university-wide ceremony. Graduates are required to wear regalia for both the commencement and convocation programs.
More information about commencement
Bienen School of Music Convocation
Saturday, June 22, 2019
9:00 a.m. (All graduates should arrive in regalia no later than 8:15 a.m.)
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
50 Arts Circle Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Tickets are not required. Convocation typically lasts 75 to 90 minutes and is followed by a reception in the Pick-Staiger lobby. Questions about the convocation ceremony can be directed to the Bienen Student Affairs Office: musicstudentaffairs@northwestern.edu.
Important Convocation Details for Students
Ticket Information
Tickets are not required for the Bienen School convocation ceremony.
Photography
GradImages, a professional photography firm, will take a photo of you as you receive your diploma. Closer to the date of convocation, you will be able to pre-register your contact information with GradImages to receive notification when your proofs are ready.
Doctoral Candidates
DMA and PhD candidates, please invite your committee chairperson to participate in the convocation ceremony. If for some reason your chairperson cannot attend, you may invite an appropriate faculty substitute. At the designated time, you will proceed across the stage carrying your hood over your arm. You will then hand your hood to your committee chairperson, who will place the hood over your head.
Parking
Guests may park in the Lakeside Parking Structure (1 Arts Circle Dr). This lot is adjacent to the south end of the Ryan Center for Musical Arts. The South Campus Parking Garage (1847 Campus Dr), attached to the Segal Visitor Center, will also be open for parking on the day of the ceremony.
Guests with impaired mobility may use Arts Circle Drive for drop off in front of Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.
Regalia
Purple gowns custom designed for Northwestern are the standard regalia and must be worn by all graduates participating in convocation and graduation ceremonies.
Bachelor’s degree regalia include a souvenir stole. Advanced degree candidates wear hoods. The lining of the Northwestern hood is purple and gold, and the color of the velvet border of the hood indicates the academic area. The Bienen School tassels and hoods are pink. PhD tassels are gold metallic and the hood is dark blue.
PhD and DMA candidates may elect to purchase the official Northwestern gown and should contact NUregalia@gmail.com to make those arrangements.
Convocation Speaker
Bienen School of Music alumnus Howard Reich (77), a longtime music and arts columnist for the Chicago Tribune, will be the featured speaker for the Bienen School’s convocation.