Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 30, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 30, 2008 at 6:18 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Poems, campus and Cougs inspire UW song entries

Some tried to sneak in words like "Cougar" or "crimson" into otherwise fawning songs about the University of Washington. Others found inspiration in...

Seattle Times higher education reporter

Listen to the entries

When the University of Washington began collecting entries for their "Song of Washington" competition, The Seattle Times gave readers the opportunity to record voicemails of their entries. Here are just a few of the recordings:

Margaret Marshall's "To Our Alma Mater Washington..."

Steve Goodman's "Washington" sung to the tune of Elvis Costello's "Veronica"

Theresa Mosteller's "Hail to Our University"

Leora Hansen's "The University of Washington Is the Place to Be"

Some tried to sneak in words like "Cougar" or "crimson" into otherwise fawning songs about the University of Washington.

Others found inspiration in poems, or from days sitting under the cherry blossoms on the quad. In all, 382 people submitted entries to the UW for a new "Song of Washington" by Wednesday's deadline.

The UW is offering $1,000 to whomever submits the winning entry, which will be put to music by Los Angeles composer Bill Conti. Among Conti's long list of credits are the scores to five "Rocky" movies.

Officials are hoping the winning song will catch on and become the UW's new alma mater, a rallying anthem at football games and college celebrations. The existing one, written in the early 1900s, has never proved popular and contains a potentially offensive line: "You're the mother of a mighty race."

The UW is quick to point out that a new alma mater would not replace the school's popular fight song — "Bow Down to Washington."

"There's been a lot of incredible thought put to these," said Brad McDavid, the director of Husky Athletic Bands, who has been sorting through the entries. "It's exactly what we've been looking for. We are going to come up with something that is very stirring to the people who hear it."

McDavid said at least three-quarters of the entries are serious. Others saw an opportunity to make fun of the UW, either overtly or by trying to slip in subliminal references — like "crimson" — to Washington State University.

The Seattle Times also invited readers to respond with their ideas.

Wrote Mary Ann Timeus, class of '78:

By the shore

of Lake Washington,

Under the proud

eye of Rainier,

Men and women

of Washington,

Hold to treasures oh so dear.

Wrote "Huskie Fan" from Issaquah:

Purple & Gold,

Purple & Gold

Everyone's rooting for

Purple & Gold

The Sonics are sold

The Mariners are cold

So everyone's rooting for Purple & Gold

The UW won't release any of the submissions until a winner is selected by the end of August. A committee of about 16 students, alumni, staff and faculty will pick the top three entries early next month, and send them to Conti, who will then compose music to his favorite.

The UW hopes to unveil the song in September, either at freshman convocation or at a gala celebrating the UW's successful eight-year fundraising campaign.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639

or nperry@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

Advertising