Lizzo plays the flute as she delivers powerhouse performance to kick off Dear Class Of 2020 virtual graduation ceremony with NY Philharmonic
YouTube’s Dear Class Of 2020 virtual graduation ceremony, celebrating recent college and high school seniors on Sunday, brought together an eclectic array of A-list stars.
With her trust flute in hand, the always magnetic Lizzo kicked off the event by adding a twist to her performance of the timeless song Pomp & Circumstance.
The rapper-singer eased her way in with a soothing and inspiring performance with her flute before she got a dynamic boost from members of the New York Philharmonic.
Classy: Lizzo kicked off YouTube’sDear Class Of 2020 virtual graduation
Dressed in a shoulder-less purple and black-patterned dress and a simple purple background, Lizzo played along with the underlying harmonies.
But then about 45 seconds in, she stopped and declared: ‘Congratulations to the class of 2020! Now let’s turn it up!’
It was at that point the music picked up dynamically by adding a plethora of players from the Philharmonic as pictures of the skilled players floated throughout the screen.
A drum beat was even added to take the song into its final crescendo.
The rapper and singer eased her way in with her flute during her performance of the timeless song Pomp & Circumstance
Twist: About 45 seconds in, Lizzo stopped and declared: ‘Congratulations to the class of 2020! Now let’s turn it up!’ and the NY Philharmonic upped the dynamics with beautiful harmonies
Trippy: An array of pictures of the NY Philharmonic players floated throughout the screen
The performance also included photos of graduates in face masks and participants in the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis last month.
Afterwards, Lizzo took to social media and offered some inspiring words to all the recent graduates, while revealing she lived out one of her childhood dreams with the performance.
‘Congratulations to the class of 2020. The truth seekers and disrupters of the future! It’s time to not just take on the world, it’s time to create a NEW one with equality for all,’ she wrote.
‘Let’s goooooooooooooo! (Thank you @nyphilharmonic for making my high school dream come true).’
Message of the moment: The performance also included photos of graduates in face masks and participants in the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests
Taking a stand: Various scenes from protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis were shown about the last 30 seconds of the video
Virtual graduation celebration: The event was held to congratulate and celebrate graduating college and high school seniors remotely due to the cancellation of ceremony’s across the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
The event was held to congratulate and celebrate graduating college and high school seniors remotely due to the cancellation of ceremony’s across the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address for the virtual graduation ceremony.
Some of the other high-profile names that took part in the event included Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, Jennifer Lopez, BTS, Zendaya, Katy Perry, Kerry Washington, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Condolezza Rice, Demi Lovato, among many others.
Dreams do come true: Afterwards, Lizzo took to social media and offered some inspiring words to all the recent graduates, while revealing she lived out one of her childhood dreams by playing with the New York Philharmonic