New York, May 16, 2008 – Students graduating from Manhattan School of Music on Friday surely must have ramped up their career ambitions when legends Billy Joel and Pete Seeger joined the festivities and received honorary degrees.  Folk singer Seeger had another commitment, so the first part of the ceremony was devoted to him – he received his honorary degree, and then got out his banjo and played and sang a song, and everyone sang along with him.  After that, the 89-year-old hurried out of Riverside Church still wearing the cap and gown!  The commencement proceedings then went on as planned. Billy Joel spoke to the students, and a jazz trio played his hit song New York State of Mind.