Tuning Into Tradition: The Graland Songs That Keep Us Connected

From the “Graland Fight Song” to the older “Graland Hymn,” these songs are more than just catchy tunes; they’re an essential part of our legacy, connecting generations of students, teachers, and alumni. Eli Gurfinkel ’29, a current student, eagerly expressed this sentiment, saying about the “Graland Fight Song,” “Don’t change it, I love it because it not only rhymes, it shows Graland spirit.”

 

The “Graland Fight Song” was written in 1989 by music teacher Cheryl Van Duzen and her sixth-grade class (Class of ’92). Cheryl, known for her passion for composing, created this anthem to resonate with students and foster school pride. According to Ms. Parthenia Williams, current associate head of the Lower School, Master Teacher, and colleague of Cheryl’s, “She was an incredible composer who always made music more engaging for the students.”

To this day, The “Graland Fight Song” continues to be a key part of school assemblies and community events. Ms. Williams further explained that it unites students: “It brings us together, and the kids get very excited when we bring out the Eagle and sing.” Even during the pandemic, teachers recorded a version virtually to share with students, keeping the Graland spirit alive despite isolation.

 

Before the “Graland Fight Song,” there was “The Graland Song,” written by Daniel Fee, Class of ’64. This song was the anthem of the 1960s to the mid-1980s, and it still carries a strong message of loyalty and perseverance. Ben Duke, Class of ’68, fondly recalled the time when Daniel composed the song: “I remember the song well, and I remember when Daniel wrote it. His mother was a Lower School teacher at Graland.” “The Graland Song,” for many alumni, remains a symbol of the school’s enduring values.

 

The oldest piece of Graland’s musical history is the “Graland Hymn,” composed by Norma Penny in the 1930s or 1940s. Although the sheet music has been lost, the lyrics were found in the wooden yearbook of Sheila Robinson, Class of ’44. These heartfelt words express the deep devotion and pride Graland students have clearly always felt.

What’s particularly exciting is that this spring, Graland’s current Middle School students will have the chance to revive the hymn, in a songwriting elective. They’ll compose new instrumentals, connecting Graland’s past with the present through their own creativity.

 

As an alumna who now works at Graland, I see these songs not only as cherished traditions but as living parts of our full community. From the “Fight Song” energizing assemblies to alumni reminiscing on their fond memories singing, and students rediscovering the “Graland Hymn,” these pieces of music continue to unite us. 

As Graland approaches its 100th anniversary, there is no better time to reminisce on the pride, belonging, and traditions that have shaped Graland, and will carry on for generations to come.