Jason Koski/University Photography

President David Skorton gives an impromptu performance on his flute during the inaugural dinner, Sept. 7.

Copyright © Cornell University

Cornell Bhangra performs in front of Goldwin Smith Hall Sept. 7 following inauguration.

Robert Barker/University Photography

Banana Berry Skorton ice cream was a popular treat on the warm inauguration day.

David Skorton, Cornell's newly inaugurated president, wasn't planning on it, but when his flute showed up at his inaugural dinner, he seized the moment and improvised to a low jazz beat on the stage.

"This is a complete surprise, honey," Skorton said to his wife, Robin Davisson, as the audience laughed and cheered. "How'd you get my flute here?"

The flute had been produced at the Bartels Hall inaugural dinner, which capped a day of events honoring Skorton, when Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Meinig asked the president to join him on stage.

Skorton, Meinig mused, is both a cardiologist and an accomplished administrator. "But what really puts him over the top, is his sax appeal," he said, referring to Skorton's talents as a jazz saxophonist. He then produced the flute and urged Skorton to indulge the audience in a tune before the president headed off to attend the inaugural concert in Bailey Hall.

So the unwitting new president joined with the Ridgewood Quintet, an all-undergraduate jazz band, and delivered a rousing flute solo. The audience cheered again.

The jovial mood that inspired the impromptu dinner performance was a fitting end to a day of light-hearted festivities honoring Skorton, many taking place in the afternoon on the Arts Quad, immediately following the austere pomp and circumstance of the inaugural ceremony. Many students, faculty, staff and others who had attended the ceremony lingered afterward to hear the music, watch the dancers and sample the food, which included a brand-new flavor of ice cream, Banana Berry Skorton.

Student groups, including the Cornell Steel Band, Sabor Latino and Absolute Zero break dance troupe, performed their routines around the quad as the sea of red-clad faculty and backpack-toting students watched. The music and dance shows were interspersed with performances by the Cornell Klezmer Band, whose traditional eastern European beats inspired some impromptu dancing from the audience.

As some people fanned themselves with the cardstock inauguration programs to cool off from the burning sun, others turned to the Cornell Dairy tent for free cups of the new ice cream, created especially for the day.

"Kinda weird" was sophomore Ivy Tam's reaction to the chocolate-based treat laced with whiffs of banana aftertaste.

"It's edible," said her friend, Neil Nadkarni, munching thoughtfully. "Skorton tastes good."

Peggy and Marc Silbert also lingered after the installation ceremony to hear the musicians and enjoy the food, which included flatbread pizza and hors d'oeuvres. Co-chairs of the Cornell Parents Committee, the New York City-couple said they enjoyed the inauguration, admired the natural beauty of Ithaca and looked forward to Skorton's time in office.

"The day was spectacular and very energetic," Marc Silbert said. "I loved the interesting musical interludes, and the speeches were terrific."

Peggy Silbert was just glad to be "part of history."

"I'm excited about David Skorton's vision," she said.

Cornell seniors Erica Ogoe and Brian Dennis reflected that they were freshmen when the last president, Jeffrey Lehman, was inaugurated. "It [the ceremony] was a huge deal then," Ogoe said. "It's scaled down now."

Though she hasn't met the new president, Ogoe said he seemed like a "friendly guy."

"I want to talk to him, but there's so much hype around him these days, I think I'll wait a couple of months," she said with a laugh.