Class of 2011 Produces a Punk Rock Version of "Alma Mater"

Published: April 13, 2021

For many graduating seniors the Faculty/Senior Breakfast, which has taken place the Saturday before Commencement weekend for nearly 70 years, is a moving time to reflect on their college experiences with faculty and their classmates. The event is steeped in tradition, from the menu of "orange glow rolls" to the singing of the "Alma Mater." This year, several members of the Class of 2011 were so inspired by the event that they decided to arrange and produce a commemorative punk rock version of the "Alma Mater."

Brad Stewart, who lent his vocal and instrumental talents to the recording, has always loved the song. "I was a Joy Boy at one point in time," he said, "and since the dorm [Joy Hall] was named after the same guy who wrote the song, I seemed to become attached to it early on. I have even had the traditional choral arrangement of the "Alma Mater" on a mix CD in my car." Stewart is aware that his fanatic devotion to the song is unusual. He admits, "I know... it's weird."

One of Stewart's roommates, Matt Gregg - who shares Stewart's passion for the "Alma Mater," first conceived of the idea for a contemporary version during his freshman year. As Gregg described it, "Every time I'd sing the Alma Matter,' I'd notice that it could be arranged into anything from punk rock to country. I never mentioned this idea to anyone till right after Faculty/Senior Breakfast when we sang the Alma Mater.' "

Credit for the arrangement goes to Gregg and another roommate, Carl Shotsberger. Shotsberger, a digital media major who pursued an emphasis in audio recording, wrote out the chord progressions, recruited a team of talented musicians from the Class of 2011, and reserved time in the studios at Whitlock Music Center.

The project was completed in two recording sessions. Shotsberger said, "I was really impressed that everyone did a good job with no practice and recording in one or very few takes. We wanted to record a lot of instruments simultaneously, so that we could capture a "live" energy that you don't always get when you record one instrument at a time."

Gregg recalls the recording process, saying, "Generally speaking, emotions were high. Brad probably cried. It was great to meet up with classmates for one final project - a project that was not only fun, but set us up for that final goodbye to Greenville College."

In addition to the three roommates - Stewart, Gregg, and Shotsberger - the team of musicians from the Class of 2011 included Will Johnson, Jake Turner, Brian Stratton, and Aaron Metz. Fellow graduates Vince Sturgeon, Rob Schollenberger, Phil Schwan, Michael Read, and Ben Menghini supported their efforts, and Tim Leusch filmed the recording. Shotsberger mixed the final version, which was dedicated to the Class of 2011.

You can listen to and download the punk rock version of "Alma Mater" by clicking here.