VanderCook College of Music Commencement & Academic Regalia Guide

The VanderCook College of Music commencement ceremony embodies the institution’s mission to prepare music educators of excellence. Graduates and faculty participate in a formal procession wearing full academic regalia: a graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard or tam), tassel and other regalia accessories. According to the student handbook, all candidates must wear approved regalia and comply with the institution’s standards for commencement attire.

For bachelor-degree candidates, the standard graduation gown is black, paired with a black mortarboard graduation cap. The tassel colour is typically determined by the field of study or the institution’s standard (often matching music education discipline). Honor cords and stoles may be worn when awarded by recognized campus organisations, consistent with VanderCook’s commitment to professionalism and recognition of achievement.

Master’s candidates follow the common academic regalia tradition: a black master’s gown (with oblong sleeves) and black cap. The hood and tassel colour reflect the advanced degree’s discipline and institution guidelines. Honor cords or stoles may accompany the regalia, representing special recognition or departmental distinction at VanderCook College of Music.

Faculty and doctoral-level participants wear the highest level of academic regalia: gowns with velvet facings, distinctive sleeve bars, hoods lined in the institution’s colours and, where applicable, a tam rather than a mortarboard. The tassel for doctoral or faculty regalia often uses metallic gold or the discipline-specific colour. This visual alignment of gown, cap, tassel, hood, honor cords and stoles ensures a unified and dignified commencement presentation.

Whether purchasing a cap and gown set for a bachelor, master or doctoral degree at VanderCook College of Music, it is essential to select the correct gown style, matching graduation cap, tassel colour and optional honor cords or stoles. Doing so ensures compliance with the institution’s approved academic regalia standards and enhances the ceremonial dignity of the occasion.

VanderCook College of Music Academic Regalia Guide – Graduation Gown & Cap Colours

At VanderCook College of Music’s Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology, the commencement ceremony honours academic achievement and tradition. Approved academic regalia—including the graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel, honor cords, stoles and faculty robes—must conform to clear guidelines.

Bachelor Level Regalia

• Gown: black bachelor’s gown with pointed sleeves.
• Cap: black mortarboard worn flat on head.
• Tassel: typically discipline-specific colour — for music studies many institutions use pink.
• Honor cords: awarded at check-in by VanderCook for academic or organizational honours.
• Stoles: optional approved stoles for cultural or service recognition at VanderCook.

Master Level Regalia

• Gown: black master’s gown with oblong sleeves.
• Tassel: color tied to academic discipline or program.
• Hood: master’s level often includes a hood lined in the institution colours and trimmed per discipline.
• Honor cords & stoles: reflect departmental or honor society recognition at the master’s level.

Doctoral Level & Faculty Regalia

• Doctoral gown: black robe with velvet facings and sleeve bars; tassel often metallic gold or discipline-colour.
• Faculty regalia: highest degree gown, hood lined in VanderCook colours, tam or mortarboard cap.

Cap & Gown Tassel Sets (All Levels)

• Set includes cap, gown and tassel—available in bachelor, master and doctoral versions at VanderCook College of Music.
• Honor cords and stoles available separately in approved colours for VanderCook.
• Designed to meet VanderCook’s commencement and academic regalia requirements.

Discipline & Regalia Colour Details

• Tassel and hood trim colours correspond to academic fields (e.g., music uses pink; education light blue; science golden yellow) following standard American intercollegiate academic costume code.
• Students should verify their specific major’s approved colour with VanderCook College of Music’s commencement or registrar office before ordering regalia.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at VanderCook College of Music , you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.