For nearly a century, The University of Memphis community hasexperienced and enjoyed the deeply rooted musical traditions in thecity of Memphis.
In honor of the 90th anniversary of The U of M, the Rudi E.Scheidt School of Music, various faculty, students and alumni haverecorded an album commemorating the rich heritage of blues, jazz,rock 'n roll and classical music in Memphis.
The CD, "90 Years of Making Music in Memphis," is "a musicalhistory of The University of Memphis and some of the musical eventsof the city," said Patricia J. Hoy, director of the School ofMusic.
The album began production in late Fall 2002 and was recorded byrecording technology faculty on the High Water label, the School ofMusic's own label. There are 180 students, 25 faculty and severalalumni featured on the 19-track disc. Each song includes adescriptive narrative by interim Chair of Communications RobertMcDowell.
"It's a wide variety of music," Hoy said. "We have an old Elvistune called 'A Mess of Blues' that one of the students sang. Wehave 'Let's Stay Together,' which is an Al Green tune that two ofour students sang, and we have 'Tiger Rag' and 'Memphis Blues,' soit's a variety."
Even though the CD is dedicated to the school, Hoy said theycould not overlook what Memphis has meant to music.
"We're focused on The University of Memphis," Hoy said. "But atthe same time we can't ignore the importance of Memphis in thatmusical history, so it's very intertwined.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for people to hear good musicperformed well, and at the same time to take part in the history ofwhere we are right now, in terms of the School of Music, because itdoes focus on the history of the School of Music and its transitionto what it is right now."
Sophomore Josh Gray, a baritone player, as well as others in themarching band helped with the two-hour recording of the fight song,"Go Tiger Go," accompanied by old collegiate men's voices.
"It was fun," Gray said. "I'm hoping that people will like it.It sounds good from what I heard of it. People ought to enjoyit."
The CD is $10 and will be on sale today through the AlumniAssociation. There is a $2 charge added for purchases needingshipping.
Several artists appearing on the album, including SouthernComfort and the Men's Quartet, will perform today at theanniversary celebration in the student plaza.
