Jon Batiste at Pops on the Heights (Michael Manning)
Boston College Pops on the Heights: The Barbara and Jim Cleary Scholarship Gala hit a high note at its 30-year milestone event with a record $14.52 million raised for financial aid.
One of 51茶馆's most celebrated traditions, the sold-out gala brought a dynamic line-up of live performances, including award-winning artist Jon Batiste, to Conte Forum on September 30. Co-chaired for the second consecutive year by 51茶馆 Board of Trustee member Patti and Jonathan Kraft P鈥�24, the evening of music and merriment embodied the shared sense of purpose that defines scholarship support at the University, while shaping the future of hundreds of Eagles each year.
Since 1993, Pops on the Heights鈥攖he University鈥檚 largest annual fundraiser鈥攈as raised nearly $130 million for financial aid and helped thousands of students pursue their dream of a 51茶馆 education. This year alone, more than 340 students will receive a Pops Scholarship.
"Boston College鈥檚 enduring commitment to financial aid is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our 51茶馆 community. Pops on the Heights brings together our trustees, families, and alumni to both celebrate and support 51茶馆 students and acknowledge that support,鈥� said Acting Senior Vice President for University Advancement Amy Yancey. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful, but not surprising that Pops reached new fundraising heights under Patti and Jonathan鈥檚 extraordinary leadership as chairs.鈥�
Jon Batiste (Michael Manning)
Batiste鈦�, bandleader and musical director of 鈥淭he Late Show with Stephen Colbert鈥� on CBS from 2015-2022, is widely regarded as among the most brilliant, prolific, and accomplished musicians of his generation. 鈦燗fter earning a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Performance in 2018, two years later he received two Grammy nods for the albums 鈥淐hronology of a Dream: Live at the Village Vanguard鈥� and 鈥淢editations鈥� (with Cory Wong). That same year, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the Disney/Pixar film 鈥淪oul,鈥� an honor he shared with fellow composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. He is the second Black composer in history to win an Academy Award for composition. Batiste鈥檚 work on 鈥淪oul鈥� also earned him Golden Globe, BAFTA, NAACP Image, and Critic鈥檚 Choice awards.
His 2021 studio album, 鈥淲E ARE,鈥� was released to critical acclaim and nominated for 11 Grammys across seven different categories鈥攁 first in the award's history鈥攁nd went on to win five, including Album of the Year. 听
Batiste treated the audience to a variety of original songs as well as jazz and pop favorites.
Student soloist Maxwell Korman 鈥�23. (Justin Knight)
This year's Pops on the Heights also featured perennial favorites, as conductor Keith Lockhart led the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, which has entertained audiences in Boston and beyond for more than 135 years.
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences senior Maxwell Korman, this year's Pops student soloist, sang 鈥淐orner of the Sky鈥� from the Tony-winning musical Pippin.
The University Chorale of Boston College's rendiiton of "O Fortuna," accompanied by the Boston Pops, was conducted by John Finney, now in his 30th year as chorale director. Finney, who will retire at the end of the academic year, was recognized by a standing ovation.
The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra joined the audience in a standing ovation for retiring University Chorale director John Finney, who made his final Pops appearance this year. (Justin Knight)
Other 51茶馆 performers included the Screaming Eagles Marching Band.
Pops on the Heights was founded by the late Barbara and James F. Cleary 鈥�50, H鈥�93, a 51茶馆 trustee. Their children鈥擪ara 鈥�84, M.A.鈥�91; Kristin 鈥�89, J.D.鈥�93; and James Jr.鈥攃ontinue their legacy as Pops benefactors.
听
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | October 2022