Graduation and employability
Studying at the Guildhall School involves hard work and professional, intensive training. Each year the School celebrates the efforts and achievements of its students as they graduate. Graduation Day 2013 took place in the Great Hall of the Guildhall on Friday 1 November with over 173 graduands in attendance to receive their awards in front of friends and family. At the ceremony, Fellowships and Honorary Fellowships were conferred by the Board of Governors on a number of figures from the arts industries in recognition of their services to the School and the profession. These included: Hollywood film composer and alumnus Harry Gregson-Williams (Voice/Piano 1981), distinguished violinist and alumnus Anthony Marwood (Violin 1986), LSO Managing Director Kathryn McDowell CBE, Director-General of the BBC Tony Hall CBE and Associate Director of the National Theatre and playwright Sir David Hare. Fellowships were also
awarded to six members of staff (see page 15). Harry Gregson-Williams gave an acceptance speech on behalf of the honorands. 2013/14 saw the launch of two new initiatives focused on preparing students for life after Guildhall: a new cross-School Employability Programme, offering sessions on a range of professional and personal development topics; and the Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs scheme which supports alumni to set up their own businesses/ social enterprises (see page 34).
Anthony Marwood, Kathryn McDowell CBE, Harry Gregson-Williams, Professor Helena Gaunt, Richard Benjafield at Graduation 2013
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