School Songs collection

Collection

Identifier: 013.SS

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The School Songs collection illustrates the long history and tradition of school music at Michigan State Normal College and Eastern Michigan University. It includes sheet music and lyrics for a wide variety of official and unofficial school songs, including various iterations of the "Fight Song". Three pieces of sheet music are stored in an oversized flat file. Two different bound songbooks from 1916 and 1925 respectively are also included in the collection, as well as a 1968 recording of the EMU Band performing the "Fight Song" and "Our Pledge". Articles and clippings related to the composition and history of various school songs and the history of the EMU Band are also included.

Dates

1874 - 2003

Creator

Van Alstyne, Egbert, 1882-1951 (Person)

Language of Materials

All records are in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Historical note

The school's fight song was composed in 1932 by Larry Livingston in response to a contest sponsored by the Men's Union. Originally titled "Hurons' Fight Song", the lyrics were changed in 1990 to reflect the school teams' name change from 'Hurons' to 'Eagles'. The college anthem, "Our Pledge", was composed by Lawrence Randolph and Edward Bowles in 1939, also in response to a contest.

Extent

0.6 Linear Feet (1 archive box and 1 oversized flat file)

Additional Description

Abstract

The School Songs collection (1874-2003) is comprised of sheet music, songbooks, lyrics sheets, an audio recording, and related clippings for songs, cheers, and yells related to Ypsilanti, Michigan State Normal College, and Eastern Michigan University, including various iterations of the school's fight song and anthem.

Arrangement of Materials

The collection is arranged into three series: 1. Lyrics and Sheet Music, which includes printed lyrics and music to a wide variety of college songs (three pieces of sheet music are stored in an oversized flat file); 2. Recordings, which is a 1968 record of the EMU Band performing "Hurons' Fight Song" and "Our Pledge"; 3. Clippings, including newspaper articles related to the history of various school songs and cheers, obituaries for Larry Livingston, composer of the "Fight Song", and a program detailing the history of the EMU band.