Loyalty Songs

Glenbrook South Alma Mater & Glenbrook South High School Fight Song "Blue and Gold"

Glenbrook South Alma Mater

The Glenbrook South Alma Mater, with music and lyrics written by Robert Owens, was specifically commissioned by Glenbrook South High School for the Variety Show. Local songwriter Robert Owens created this original piece, which is now sung at the conclusion of every Variety Show. The arrangement was done by Dr. Walter Lamble, a choir teacher at Glenbrook South during that time, who served as the department head for several years before his retirement. Dr. Lamble's arrangement is still in use today. The Alma Mater is performed annually at the Variety Show and occasionally at sporting events. Originally set in the key of F, it has been modified each year for the annual Variety Show. During the 1982 Glenbrook South Variety Show, titled "A Hero Is More Than a Sandwich," the full cast sang the Glenbrook South Alma Mater for the first time in the history of the Variety Show. Mrs. Sally Schreiner played a key role in facilitating the composition by Robert Owens.

Blue and Gold (Glenbrook South Fight Song)

"Blue and Gold", the fight song of Glenbrook South, was written by Clay Harvey, who was the first band director at GBS. Clay's father was a high school music teacher in Chicago during the 1930s. He himself was an excellent trombonist and won a national award for it when he was in high school. Many people have claimed to have overheard him composing the song on one of the limed oak upright practice pianos in the music wing. Other music teachers, Walter Lamble and William Schnell, reportedly contributed to the writing, but this was never confirmed. It is unlikely that they did. Clay Harney initially intended for the song to be an up-tempo march with a high-energy Sousa-type feel. It remains in the key of Bb as it correlates with the Alma Mater. As a 52-year career musician, many still appreciate Clay's composition both from a melodic and harmonic standpoint. "Glenbrook South - hats off to you!"

Glenbrook South, your spirit will inspire us to the end

And we will fight to never lose our hold!

If we win or lose, we've given all we had

To proudly see our flag unfold!

And in victory your name will ring throughout the land

And we'll be proud to shout your praises true.

So let's hear it for the blue and gold of brave Titan heroes,

Glenbrook South, hats off to you!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! Victory, Victory Glenbrook High!

There are several arrangements of Blue and Gold. I have gathered as much information as I can about the fight song and posted it here. Please email if you would like to request a high-quality PDF or audio file.

Original Arrangement for Voice/Piano/Guitar

This audio file has minor changes to correlate with the current arrangement at GBS.

This copy is the first known version of the fight song; it has been the base skeleton for all other arrangements moving forward.

Blue and Gold arranged by Clay Harvey for Marching Band

Given the information provided on the score and its correlation to the piano/vocal score, I believe this is the original arrangement of Blue and Gold. This score was digitally remastered and has several live recordings, but those recordings don't fully correlate to the score.

Blue _ Gold - Full Score.pdf

Blue and Gold arranged by Christopher Canzoneri for Concert Band

Chris Canzoneri is a former student teacher at Glenbrook South High School. He is a talented musician and arranger who loves to add his own unique touch to musical pieces. Chris is known for his arrangements, including the school's fight song, which he arranged to give it a more symphonic feel. He filled in harmonies and accompaniments with the high woodwinds and added an interlude in the middle of the piece. According to interviews, Chris is dedicated to his work and writes every single part out on sheets of staff paper by hand. He believes that the work put into the song is worth it and is proud to have contributed to the spirit of GBS.

The only score that has been saved of this arrangement was when Canzoneri revised the arrangement and saved it in Finale music notation software. The original version and parts were unlabeled and were most likely tossed during a purge of the music library.

Blue and Gold arranged by Clay Harvey for SATB Choir

This arrangement was made for the Glenbrook South Choir. Used with Dr. Walter Lamble and Dr. William Schnell, it was typically used in all major events before the 2000s. This arrangement is retired.

Blue and Gold arranged by Kevin Kastens for Marching Band

Kevin Kastens student taught with Pete Pappas in the fall of 1976. Pete Pappas asked Kastens if I could make some improvements to the previous arrangement. The only remaining parts of his arrangement are a trumpet and clarinet part.

Blue and Gold arranged by David Lukaszczyk for Marching Band

Glenbrook South High School is currently using a new arrangement of the fight song. David dedicated four months to tirelessly rearranging it throughout the academic year to boost school spirit and student involvement. This arrangement was written as a gift to the band class of 2022 and their director, Brian Boron. It is now used at all school events.

Performance of Alma Mater and Fight Song timestamp: 17:44

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse