Peter C. Lutkin beside his music for Northwestern’s traditional Alma Mater hymn, "Quacumque Sunt Vera."
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Behind Northwestern's Songs
Alma Mater
In 1907, Peter Christian Lutkin wrote the University's traditional hymn, "Quaecumque Sunt Vera," which students sang in Latin. Lutkin, who served as the first dean of the School of Music, based the song on Franz Joseph Haydn's "St. Anthony Chorale," an Austrian Pilgrim's hymn.
J. Scott Clark, the hymn's arranger, wrote the Latin lyrics. The literal translation of the Latin lyrics was based on the University's motto. The Philippians 4:8 Bible verse begins with the phrase "Quacumque Sunt Vera," which means "whatsoever things are true."
Clark, a professor of English at Northwestern from 1892 to 1911, was fond of Latin and Greek songs and wrote several himself. Clark's collaborators were Daniel Bonbright, former head of the Latin department, and James Taft Hatfield, another former faculty member and eminent Latin scholar.
However, the late J. Roscoe Miller, who was the 12th President of Northwestern from 1949 to 1974, noted that there were times when the "University Hymn" was threatened with extinction. Since enthusiasm for Lutkin's song had dwindled, a decision was made to "revive the Hymn." Despite debate that alteration would detract from the song's prestige and elegance, English words were put to the hymn in the late 1950's.
Thomas Tyra, a 1954 School of Music graduate; wrote the English lyrics. Instead of literally translating the Latin text, Tyra wrote the song that the Northwestern community is familiar with today:
Hail to Alma Mater
We will sing thy praise forever
All thy sons and daughters
Pledge thee victory and honor
Alma Mater Praise be thine
May thy name forever shine
Hail to purple
Hail to white
Hail to thee Northwestern
While the "Alma Mater" has gone through changes over the years, the tradition and the pride associated with the song continues. Today, the marching band performs the hymn during halftime at Wildcat football games. The orchestra performs it during formal and special occasions, such as commencement or convocation ceremonies.
The Northwestern "Fight Song"
Before the University's popular "fight song" was written in 1912, the marching band only performed collegiate songs from other universities. When the marching band was performing one such song prior to a football fame between Northwestern and University of Indiana, band member Theodore C. Van Etten decided that Northwestern should have a song as its own.
Further inspired by the fact that Northwestern beat their Indiana opponents that day, Van Etten returned home and began to work on the words and music. When the School of Pharmacy senior completed "Go U Northwestern," he had it arranged for the University's 20-member band. His new song was premiered at halftime of the University of Illinois/Northwestern game in Evanston on November 23, 1912.
Go U Northwestern
Go U Northwestern break right through that line
With our colors flying we will cheer you all the time (U rah rah!)
Go U Northwestern fight for victory
Spread far the fame of our fair name
Go Northwestern win that game
According to Van Etten's personal account, when his new composition was played in public for the first time, "It went over with a bang. The crowd wanted to hear it again, and it was repeated." Soon his song was played, sung, and taught to the students. Van Etten admitted that he was thrilled every time he heard a crowd sing "Go U Northwestern" or heard his song broadcast on the radio.
In 1930, Van Etten was made an honorary letterman and member of the N Men's Club for his melodic contribution to the University.