The University of Colorado Boulder is jazzing up its graduation music, a break away from tradition that will result in a very different-sounding ceremony on May 9.
CU Boulder’s College of Music created three new jazz versions of the traditional 1901 Pomp and Circumstance theme to play at graduation. The three versions are Latin jazz, New Orleans funk and big band swing styles. John Gunther, director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, hopes people get up, dance in the aisles and have fun with it.
“I think you’ll notice right away because it’s such a modern take on that traditional kind of march and performance of the song,” Gunther said.
The Latin jazz arrangement draws from Cuban and Afro-Cuban styles like mambo and rumba. The New Orleans funk version will give audiences a street-beat, marching-band feel, and the big band swing style will feature varying rhythms and solo sections for players to improvise.
“We hope people enjoy the versions. We hope that they get a kick out of them,” Gunther said. “They’re fun, they’re upbeat, I think they’re memorable, they’re unique. I think they’re unique to CU and hopefully add to that it’s a special day and a unique day.”
Paul McKee, a professor of jazz studies, composed the songs which were then professionally recorded in a studio with the help of students. Senior Grayson Stewart will walk to the music he helped create as he receives his diploma. He hopes to see some level of excitement from people when they hear the new music.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of something larger than myself,” Stewart said, adding, “It’s really nice we have different styles as well so they’re not just looping the same tune over and over.”
John Davis, dean of the College of Music, said the opportunity came from the Chancellor’s Office, where there was an interest to “do something different” with the graduation music. According to the Chancellor’s Office, this could be the first time that Pomp and Circumstance has been played in a non-traditional style at CU Boulder’s main campus ceremony.
“They really wanted to diversify the types of music that were being represented at that ceremony,” Davis said.
Davis said these arrangements can be played at or incorporated in arrangements at graduations for many years to come.
“It gives the students and families something to relate to and updates the entire feeling (of the ceremony) …. to have this variety and diverse styles,” Davis said.
Gunther said the music will be one of the parts of the ceremony that will make it memorable. It will provide more contemporary music that reflects the diversity and creativity of the campus.
“I think it shows that the leadership for CU is forward-thinking, they’re looking at how they can create new traditions and update old ones and find ways to engage the students and audience,” Gunther said. “This all feels like a very positive gesture around what is already a very special and memorable event to celebrate the hard work of all the students.”
For more information on CU Boulder’s graduation ceremony, visit colorado.edu/commencement/.
