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David Swanson

The Curtis Institute of Music confers the degree of Doctor of Music (Honoris Causa) to Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been conferred the degree of Doctor of Music (Honoris Causa) during the eighty-first commencement and conferring of degrees of the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia. The Curtis Institute of Music is internationally renowned for the great quality of its formation offered every year to a small number of highly selected young musicians. Along the years, many of these gifted graduates have filled the ranks of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Since his beginning as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, in September 2012, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has worked closely with the Institute to promote Musical training activities in collaboration with the Philadelphia Orchestra; leading some master-classes, he has himself conducted the Institute’s Students Orchestra in concert. He has strongly collaborated to the creation of a new conducting curriculum, and now supervises the first student in this program. The Chairman, Mr. H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest, gave him his diploma “ in recognition of services rendered to music, to music education in particular and specifically to the Curtis Institute of Music”. Later, Mr. Roberto Diaz, president and CEO, spoke in these terms: “ Since beginning his tenure in Philadelphia, Yannick has been described as undeniably electric, sentimental, fun, deep, and exactly what the Philadelphia Orchestra needed. As this year’s Mentor Conductor at Curtis, our students have been fortunate to have him share his charisma, passion, and leadership in rehearsals, lab orchestra, and an extraordinary performance of the Shostakovich Seventh Symphony in January. I know you all join me in thanking him for this very memorable year.” Let us recall that in March 2011, the UQAM (University of Québec in Montreal) had also honored Yannick with a doctorate honoris causa.

Photo credits: David Swanson

Photo credits: David Swanson

Photo credits: David Swanson

" The excitement and enchantment that he generated in theses concerts was over the top"

V.L. Schermer, Broad Street Review