1960 – The SUI School Of Music Presents…

By the end of the 1950’s, the State University of Iowa had become a well-known school around the U.S. because of the great success and visibility of the Iowa Hawkeye football team. Under the leadership of Coach Forest (Evy) Evashevski (1952-1960), SUI appeared in two Rose Bowls (1957 & 1959). Read more here.

And with that national exposure, the SUI School of Music – which, of course, included both the Hawkeye Marching Band (below left) and the SUI Scottish Highlanders (below right) and their two national TV appearances at the Rose Bowl – decided to release an LP (long-play) album featuring those groups.

Recently, we acquired a rare copy of this 33 1/3 LP record, and we thought, you, Our Iowa Heritage readers, might enjoy listening to it…

*(M-0153)* This LP record – circa 1960 – was processed and pressed by RCA Victor, and produced and published by Recorded Publications Co.

Under the direction of Frederick C. Ebbs (Director of Bands 1954-1967), here are the four cuts from the SUI University Band…

On Iowa by W.R. Law

On Iowa, proudly at the fore. On Iowa, on for evermore. Ev’ry loyal son will give a rousing toast to you. Ev’ry loyal daughter loves you true. On Iowa, with your wealth untold. A heritage to us you did unfold. Love of family, love of friend. Love of country too, makes us proud for what you stand – Our Dear Old Gold. Read more about the ‘Who-wa-wa’ bridge here.

Roll Along, Iowa by John H. Woodman

Roll along, Iowa, Roll down the field, On to victory! Roll along, Iowa, Don’t ever yield, Always a winner be! Get that ball, Give your all, For dear Old Gold, Raise her banner high! With firm endeavor, Roll on forever, SUI. Read more here.

Iowa March by Edwin Franko Goldman.

In 1955, Dr. Frederick C. Ebbs commissioned Dr. Goldman to compose a march. At the time Goldman was 77 years old and had a less active role in composition than his youth. He composed some of the melodic material, the large-scale form, and the basic harmonic functions only to pass these notes to Erik Leidzen, his chief arranger, who completed the work. On February 21, 1956, Dr. Goldman passed away and his son, Richard Franko Goldman, traveled to Iowa City to conduct the premiere. In the program of that concert the inscription beneath the march simply states: “Iowa, the last march of the late beloved bandmaster, Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman, was written for this band.”

The Iowa Fight Song by Meredith Willson

The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for Iowa,” let every loyal Iowan sing. The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for Iowa,” until the walls and rafters ring (rah! rah!) Come on and cheer, cheer, cheer for Iowa. Come on and cheer until you hear the final gun. The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for Iowa,” until the game is won. Read more here.

Read about – and hear – the top school songs at the University of Iowa in the early 1960’s here.

*Fred Ebbs conducting the SUI University Band on tour in Europe.*

Under the direction of Herald I. Stark (SUI Professor/Director of Choirs 1934-1976), here are the two cuts featuring the SUI Men’s Chorus…

The Iowa Victory Chant by Charles B. & Miriam Righter
C.B. Righter was hired in 1937 to oversee the SUI School of Music. Read more here.

Old Gold Hymn by John Carl Parish
Read more here about this school hymn written in 1905.

Today, the University of Iowa School of Music has named the Opera Studio in the new Voxman Music Building after Herald I. Starks. One sad story, however, about Starks, we’ll share here…

Under the direction of William L. Adamson (Director of Highlanders 1937-1965), here are the four cuts from the SUI Scottish Highlander Bagpipes, followed by two extended cuts from the Highlander Chorus…

Charlie’s No Awa’ – SUI Scottish Highlanders

Scotland The Brave – SUI Scottish Highlanders

The 42nd – SUI Scottish Highlanders

Auld Lang Syne – SUI Scottish Highlanders

Highlander Chorus – Set 1 – SUI Scottish Highlander Chorus

Highlander Chorus – Set 2 – SUI Scottish Highlander Chorus

Thanks SUI School of Music for the musical trip back to the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. As it was back then, and still is today – On Iowa! Go Hawks!