If being Cornell's president is like conducting a symphony, President David Skorton took Friday night, Oct. 23, to step back -- into the saxophone section -- and recognize the players who bring the music to life.

Skorton opened the evening extravaganza, "Setting the Pace: 1865-2015," in Bailey Hall with his own rendition of the Cornell alma mater -- and greeted the cheering audience celebrating the conclusion of a busy Cornell Trustee/Council Weekend.

"I promise that I will continue to play my part in the future of this great institution. My request of you is that you continue to play your parts, as you have done so well and for so long," Skorton said.

The program was a chance to recognize trustees, students, faculty, volunteers and benefactors, he said, noting that each player has a vital role in keeping the university strong.

He called on representatives in the audience to introduce leaders in each category.

Among them, Robin Davisson, professor of biomedical sciences and Skorton's "very favorite member of the Cornell faculty," recognized Bob and Helen Appel (Classes of 1953 and 1955), whose gifts and fundraising have supported initiatives including the Lincoln Hall Campaign, the Residential Initiative, the Scholarship Challenge Campaign and the new medical research building at Weill Cornell Medical College.

"Bob and Helen met on this campus more than 50 years ago, and since then, they have helped shape and reshape both this campus and Cornell's campus in New York City," Davisson said.

In a tribute to benefactors of scholarship, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences student Carolyn Entelisano '13 introduced Katrina James '96, the first person to establish a term scholarship at Cornell; and John and Elaine Alexander (Classes of 1974 and 1977).

"I am an Alexander scholar," Entelisano said. "And to all three of you, I want to say that I look forward to some day standing in your shoes, in front of a young woman like me, so grateful for an opportunity given."

When all the honorees had been recognized, Skorton returned to the symphony theme.

"Tonight we have sung the praises of some very special players," he said. "But there are many others -- unsung heroes to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. … Each musician in the symphony is critical to the orchestra's success. Everyone in this audience has a part to play."

And to hammer home the point, guests Cynthia Johnston Turner, conductor of the Cornell Wind Ensembles, and Boris Brott, master conductor of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles, took the stage and led the audience in a music-making exercise using xylophone tone bars.

One whack at a time, the audience played the beginning of the Autumn movement of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"; the theme to "Star Wars" and "Give My Regards to Davy."

They were joined in the latter by the Cornell Winds; and finally, in the singing of the alma mater, by the Cornell Chorus.

"Today I sensed that together, we are ready to seize the moment to go back to our future," Skorton concluded. "Not just tonight at Bailey Hall, but throughout the day, I have seen you play your part. And this is how and this is why we make this time one of the greatest times in Cornell's history."