MCA Alma Mater

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

The majority of my duties at the academy that I work for is to constantly compose new works for the students. Here's my latest that will be performed later this month. It's the school's Alma Mater.

Sound: https://app.box.com/s/hukt14n6lnm5ti8jytssf4n8g82boer9

Score: https://app.box.com/s/a1lk65pu62zzj5kb6u4jfc96zhzr57jh  

[Rick Waugh]

Nice. Nothing shocking or ground breaking, but good drama and feel.

I think that would actually make a great song, if you added a vocal melody and lyrics, it's got that kind of feel to it.

[Rick Waugh]

Well, dang. Sadly, I'm not at the point where I can read a score and hear the music in my head. ;)

[Ingo Lee]

Well written and developed, this is very likeable.  Others have mentioned that given a big arrangement that this would be very impressive and I agree with that, I would like to hear it done that way, or at least wtih lyrics and a vocal.  As is, it's not very original or moving to me, IMHO it needs to be something more than likeable to be memorable.

[Stephen Lines]

I like this Rodney...just the sort of thing to get the kids hollerin' enthusiastically. Personally I think the recording is a bit too much bang and crash and the bass line is for sure too heavy and overpowering but so what...in the real world I think this will go down well. There are some nice harmonic touches too!

Well done.

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

Sounds like I need to explain what an alma mater is!

[Tim Marko]

No you don't.

As an alma mater it's perfect.  Easy for anyone to sing, lot's of suspensions and somewhat cheesy!  (Everyone will cry when they lose the homecoming game! lol)

Nice job Rodney.  It's just what it should be.

[Joseph Harry]

¿Did you compose a piece for the Cinco de Mayo?

The majority of my duties at the academy that I work for is to constantly compose new works for the students.

[roger stancill]

Rodney, do tell, what is the point of the reverb at 1:56-58 ?

are you trying to break the windows in the Dean's office?

This has that traditional sound/appeal to it, tho' I guess you

can add the 'corny' with the lyrics.

Powerful and pulsing, (Is this an all girl's school/)  lol

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

There's actually been 3 ground breakings in the school's past including the inclusion of a high school 2 years ago which called for the ground breaking conclusion of needing an alma mater which is a school song intended to be sung at graduations, sport events, and other school related events. A school song must be melodic, nostalgic, simple, and meaningful to faculty, alumni, and teenagers.

Rick Waugh said:

Nice. Nothing shocking or ground breaking, but good drama and feel.

I think that would actually make a great song, if you added a vocal melody and lyrics, it's got that kind of feel to it.

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

It will be performed mostly for high school graduations and sporting events with the instrumentation varying from piano accompaniment, large ensemble, and even rock band depending on the occasion. The rendering here means absolutely nothing literally hitting record playing it for the chorus for their rehearsals.

Dave Dexter said:

(There's a vocal melody and lyrics in the score link, Rick!)

I'd love to hear this with a huge children's choir toward the end. It's all-American power! Personally I feel some of the lower bass work is a bit too low and overpowers the higher register and melody, though it could be the recording, but then if there's lots of children singing that would presumably balance it. Is it to be sung and accompanied piano-only during registration (I don't know what you call it in US), or is this for a big one-time performance?

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

In the near future probably similar to the one I did for West Stokes High School. Here's their version of their alma mater excluding the percussion parts:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MI8B20Sn2AU

Bob Porter said:

Nice, Rodney. Is there a band arrangement in the works?

[Rodney Carlyle Money]

This one would be easy for you to start with since the tune you sing is in the soprano line of the piano part that you hear.

Rick Waugh said:

Well, dang. Sadly, I'm not at the point where I can read a score and hear the music in my head. ;)