Live Music at Graduations: Repertoire, Timing
and How to Hire

A graduation is one of the most anticipated celebrations in life. After years of dedication, the time has come to celebrate in style — and live music is the ingredient that transforms an ordinary party into an unforgettable night. But there is an important choice to make: vocals & guitar for the solemn ceremony, or vocals & VS (backing track) for the animated ball? The answer, at most graduations, is: both.

In this guide you will understand how each format works, which songs make the most sense for each part of the evening and everything you need to know to hire with confidence.

1. Why live music transforms a graduation

There is a fundamental sensory difference between listening to a Spotify playlist and having a live voice and instrument in the same room. Live music breathes with the environment: it senses when emotion rises, when a whole class embraces each other, when parents exchange proud glances. It reacts. A recording cannot.

At graduations, this sensitivity is especially powerful. The moment a graduate walks in for the first time in their gown, while a live voice performs the song that defined their class — that scene is priceless. It is the kind of memory that lasts forever.

Beyond emotional impact, live music offers real-time flexibility: the musician can repeat a passage if the entrance runs late, improvise a dedication, speed up or slow down according to the party's mood. No playlist can do that.

2. Vocals & guitar or vocals & VS: which for each moment

This is the most common question when organising a graduation. The good news is that both formats are complementary — and many graduations feature both throughout the evening.

At a typical graduation, vocals & guitar carries the ceremony and the opening moments of dinner, and vocals & VS takes over when the ball begins. The transition is natural and the result is a complete night — elegance and energy exactly where they belong.

3. Musical moments of a graduation night

4. Repertoire: the right songs for each class

The repertoire for a graduation needs to balance emotion and energy. Some songs move during the ceremony and others make the dancefloor explode at the ball. And there are the songs the class chose as "the class anthem" — which receive special treatment.

For the ceremony (vocals & guitar)

• Moving and timeless: "A Thousand Years" (Christina Perri), "Heaven" (Bryan Adams), "Baby Can I Hold You" (Tracy Chapman)
• Introspective and evocative: "Wind of Change" (Scorpions), "Dust in the Wind" (Kansas), "Iris" (Goo Goo Dolls)
• Brazilian MPB: "Velha Infância" (Tribalistas), "Boa Sorte" (Vanessa da Mata), "Toda Forma de Amor" (Lulu Santos)
• Cinematic: "Tuyo" (Rodrigo Amarante), "Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak)

For dinner and the ball (vocals & VS)

• 90s Brazilian rock: "Eduardo e Mônica" (Legião Urbana), "Primeiros Erros" (Capital Inicial), "Dancin' Days" (Lulu Santos)
• International favourites: "Zombie" (The Cranberries), "Losing My Religion" (R.E.M.), "Wherever You Will Go" (The Calling), "Creep" (Radiohead)
• Energetic classics: "Eye of the Tiger" (Survivor), "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor), "Proud Mary" (CCR)
• Pop and MPB: "Só Hoje" (Jota Quest), "Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton), "Always" (Bon Jovi)

"The class anthem played live at our graduation was the most emotional moment of the night. I will never forget it."

5. High school, undergraduate and postgraduate: what changes

🎓 High school graduation

The audience is young, animated and wants plenty of energy. The ceremony tends to be shorter, and the ball is the star of the evening. Vocals & VS is the preferred format for most of the event. Repertoire: current pop with roots in the 2000s, Brazilian rock and social-media hits. Songs like "Wherever You Will Go" (The Calling), "Zombie" (The Cranberries) and "Eduardo e Mônica" (Legião Urbana) are universal favourites.

🎓 Undergraduate graduation

The ceremony carries more weight. Graduates in cap and gown call for vocals & guitar at its most emotionally expressive. Dinner begins more formally and gradually heats up to the ball. The repertoire is eclectic: 90s Brazilian rock, MPB, international classics and a touch of contemporary pop. "Eduardo e Mônica", "Primeiros Erros", "Sultans of Swing" (Dire Straits) and "Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton) are rarely absent.

🎓 Postgraduate and MBA graduation

The audience is more mature, but no less fun-loving. The ceremony is more sophisticated — vocals & guitar with a refined repertoire is almost mandatory. At dinner and the ball, the repertoire blends international classics with Brazilian rock and MPB. Songs like "My Way" (Frank Sinatra), "Careless Whisper" (George Michael), "Velha Infância" (Tribalistas) and "Boa Sorte" (Vanessa da Mata) work beautifully in this context.

6. How to hire live music for graduations

Decide in advance which moments to cover

Before making contact, be clear about which moments you want covered: just the ceremony, just the ball, or the full event? This determines the format (vocals & guitar, vocals & VS, or both), the duration and consequently the investment.

Talk about the class anthem

Every class has "their song". The one that played during breaks, that someone blasted on their phone before an exam, that everyone sang on the last trip together. We rehearse that song in advance, ensuring the moment is perfect when it plays live for the very first time.

Coordinate timing with the event organiser

Graduations run to a schedule: procession, speeches, dinner, ball. We need to align timing with the event planner or the graduation committee so that the music enters at precisely the right moment. The more information we have in advance, the better the result.

7. Frequently asked questions about graduation music

How much does live music cost for a graduation?

The cost varies according to the format (vocals & guitar, vocals & VS or both), duration, timing and travel. The cost is shared by the class, which typically makes the investment very accessible per graduate. Request a quote via WhatsApp for a personalised proposal.

How far in advance should I book?

Ideally, book at least 3 to 6 months in advance — especially for graduations scheduled in high-demand months (November, December and July). Popular dates fill up quickly.

Do you rehearse the class anthem before the event?

Yes. Once the class decides on their anthem, we agree on it in advance and rehearse the arrangement so the moment is exactly as you imagined — no surprises and no unnecessary improvisation.

Is it possible to book only the ceremony, without the ball?

Absolutely. We can cover anything from the graduation ceremony alone to the full event including dinner and ball. The format adapts to the class's needs and budget.

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Published May 5, 2026 · Last updated: May 5, 2026
By Dupla Bruno e Dani — Professional live music for graduations in SP and inland