Photo by Graham Goudeau

Music

Undergraduate Vocal Performance Major Delaney Finn Selected as 2025 BU Commencement Singer

The Boston University School of Music soon-to-be-graduate will be singing the national anthem and the BU song, “Clarissima,” at BU’s 152nd Commencement ceremony.

As Delaney prepares to sing the national anthem and BU’s song, “Clarissima,” in front of a 20,000-plus crowd, get to know more about this year’s BU Commencement Singer!

CFA: Congratulations are in order for you, Delaney! How did you feel when you found out you had been selected as this year’s Commencement singer?

Delaney: I was shocked, honored, and thrilled! It doesn’t feel quite real, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity. I am so grateful to the voice faculty [at BU] for thinking of me for this opportunity. I am especially privileged and humbled to share my voice at a time of difficulty and tumult in our world. 

I know there is a weight behind singing the Star Spangled Banner at this time in our world. I sing with the full intent to honor those who have fought for our freedom, those who have died fighting for justice, and those who have lost their lives and their livelihood for standing up against injustice, inequity, and evil. 

Tell us, how are you preparing for your performance?

I try to stick to my regular routine as much as possible, leading up to any performance. I find that having a consistent routine is beneficial for me to stay healthy and prepared for any performances. On the day of the performance, I try to always follow the advice I received from a wonderful friend of mine: go tell the story and have fun! 

Graduation is right around the corner. Are there any achievements you’d like to share from your time at CFA?

I want to start with something that is not necessarily an achievement but is an important part of my life (as many of the folks at CFA know!) My amazing service dog Honey came into my life last year. I’ve had some difficult chronic health problems that limited my independence and completely took over my life until she came along. She has been my constant companion, my best friend, and a beloved part of the CFA community since she came into my life last year, and I cannot thank her enough for keeping me independent and helping me to live life to the fullest again. I would not be here without her! 

Last year, I was inducted into the Scarlet Key Honors Society, the highest non-academic award for Boston University students, and I’m honored to be a part of it. 

Also during my time at BU, I was fortunate enough to work under the amazing Dr. Karin Hendricks (2023 Metcalf Cup and Prize winner) and received two Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grants to do research with her on topics of trust and care in music education. I am forever grateful for the time I spent researching those two summers, and I am grateful to have collaborated on chapter 14 of the Oxford Handbook of Care in Music Education (Hendricks, K.S., ed., 2023). alongside Cheryl Freeze (CFA‘23) and Dr. Hendricks. 

In regards to performance, I was most recently a finalist for the 2025 VanderLaan Prize at Opera Grand Rapids. I performed three performances of Handel’s Messiah with Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra (RICCO) as the alto winner of their 2024 Collegiate Competition.

Some additional performance highlights include: La Suora Zelatrice in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with BU Opera Institute, Alto Soloist for Saint-Säens Oratorio de Noël at Star of the Sea Catholic Church (Dec. 2024), Susan Veeder in the Finale of Whaling Women by Jodi Goble with BU Opera Workshop (May 2024), alto soloist for Mozart’s Requiem with BU Symphonic Chorus (Dec. 2023), and Ramiro in scenes from Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera as a part of Opera Viva! Summer program in Verona, Italy (June 2023). I also was the national anthem singer for 14 BU Hockey games and had a winning streak – we won every game I sang for during my time at BU! 

What are some of your favorite, most treasured memories from BU that you will take with you?

Woof. That’s a doozy of a question! There are so many that I can’t even recount all of them. I am blessed to have an incredible community at BU and in the greater Boston community.

From many opera performances with BU Opera Institute and Opera Workshop/Opera Project, to teaching in many different places, to life-changing and inspiring ACDA and NextDirection conferences, to learning the ropes of arts administration and institutional advancement/development, to late nights writing papers and classes, to choir rehearsals and vocal coaching, to lessons and shows with Boston University Equestrian Team (BUET), to running supertitles with Boston Opera Collaborative and Professor Allison Voth, to singing for mass and incredible retreats with the Boston University Catholic Center – I cannot imagine a more incredible experience.

Most importantly, I am taking away the incredible community of friends and colleagues that I have found in my time here. It is so bittersweet knowing that this amazing chapter with the most amazing people is coming to a close. 

What are your plans post-graduation?

I recently committed to the University of Michigan to pursue a Master’s in Vocal Performance under Dr. Freda Herseth. I am super excited to be joining another wonderful program and pursuing vocal performance as my career. I am also from Michigan, so I am returning to my roots!

I will be continuing to teach and to work in non-profit administration as I pursue grad school. Further down the line, I hope to pursue opera professionally if it is in the cards for me. I am immensely grateful for the people who shaped me and guided me to where I am today, and I look forward to the beautiful journeys ahead!