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As students and families prepare for the 2024 commencement ceremony at CU Boulder on May 9, there’s a buzz of excitement surrounding a unique musical endeavor set to take center stage. 

The College of Music’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program is providing this year’s graduates with new takes on the timeless rendition of Sir Edward Elgar’s "Pomp & Circumstance" theme (1901). The traditional graduation march has been reimagined in three distinct, captivating styles: Latin jazz, New Orleans funk, and big band swing.  

Alongside alumni and faculty, jazz students performed and professionally recorded the three styles of the tune at Mighty Fine Productions in Denver, which are slated to make their debut during the 2024 commencement ceremony. 

“The Chancellor's Office invited us to update the original version of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ into something that would be more exciting for audiences and that acknowledges the diversity not only within CU Boulder, but also American music and culture today,” said College of Music Dean John Davis. 

Dean Davis immediately reached out to John Gunther, director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, who in turn connected the office with Paul Mckee, an associate professor of jazz studies whose arrangements and compositions have been performed and recorded by professional and academic jazz ensembles worldwide. 

“I’ve always loved a challenge,” said McKee. “It was a lot of fun trying to figure out how to take this fairly conservative piece, ‘hip it up’ a little and turn it into something that students and families might better connect with.” 

In just three weeks, McKee managed to arrange all three styles. He aimed to pay respect to the original tune by making the melody recognizable, while also creating distinct variations based on musical styles that have shaped the sound of American music.  

McKee’s 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 final big band swing style will feature varying rhythms and solo sections for players to improvise. 

“This is one of those traditions that we’ve done the same way forever; but as musicians, we never want to get stuck regurgitating the same old stuff,” McKee said. “This project teaches our students how to make music in their own way, while also giving audiences in Folsom a little more fun.”

Developing the universal musician

The reimagining of "Pomp & Circumstance" not only breathes new life into a cherished tradition but also underscores the College of Music's mission to develop universal musicians—that is, multiskilled, multifaceted musicians who are equipped for success in today's ever-evolving music industry. 

At the heart of this philosophy lies the integration of real-world experiences into the music curriculum. Projects such as this offer students the chance to record in professional studio settings, while also collaborating with esteemed alumni and faculty. 

Jazz Studies Director John Gunther said these experiences mirror the real-world music industry and provide students with invaluable insights into professional environments.

"When a musician goes into a studio to record, it's a different mindset than if they’re performing on stage," Gunther explained. "It requires a different kind of concentration and synchronicity with fellow musicians, so it's really great training for the students to have, especially if they choose to enter that career path upon graduation."

For the students involved, the project offered a glimpse into the careers they aspire to have. Grayson Stewart, a graduating jazz studies major who performed in the big band swing arrangement, reflected on his journey at CU:  

"I think a lot about everything I've learned here at the College of Music, and everything that I'm going to use when I go into my professional career," Stewart said. “This was a great way to get that kind of experience in a setting where you have to be professional and expectations are high."

As Stewart and his fellow CU Boulder graduates prepare to take their final strides across the stage, they’ll do so to the beat of innovation and creativity exemplified by the College of Music's transformative influence on music education and beyond.

“I'm really excited to walk that stage and graduate to music that I was a part of making,” said Stewart. “It’s something I’ll always remember.”