Coeducational College Preparatory Day School serving Grades 5-12
News
Seabury Hall's Alma Mater
You may have never heard our School Song–“Come, sing the praise of Seabury Hall.” And that’s okay. You could be a new student. You could have never been at an event such as Graduation in which we use the Song. In year’s past things were a little different. Once our School Song was sung frequently at Assembly. For the first 40 years of Seabury Hall’s existence, all students attended Chapel regularly as part of the school day. “Come, sing the praise of Seabury Hall” was sung frequently as part of those worship services. But why does it matter, and why do we want to spend time learning it?
A School Song is sometimes called an Alma Mater, a School Anthem, or a School Hymn. A School Song is designed to unite a school in a spirit of gratitude for all that the community offers. Often an Alma Mater expresses affection or pride for one’s school. Other times, it will speak about its natural surroundings to foster a sense of identity and belonging. Furthermore, a School Song expresses some of a school’s character, culture, and the aspirations and hopes for the future.
Our Alma Mater does much of this. It acknowledges the beauty of our campus and our island Maui. It speaks of the breathtaking views of Haleakala and to the ocean. Our School song situates us in a spirit of appreciation, and asks God the Creator to send blessings on our school that we may be known for the love, compassion, empathy, kindness, and mutual affection that is aloha.
The music for our school song comes from a traditional English folk ballad. The tune is called Forest Green in honor of the composer, a humble caretaker who lived a simple life in a beautiful area rich with flowers and animals. In 1906, English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams adapted it and turned it into a Christmas Carol, using words written by an Episcopal Priest. Thus, our School Song connects us to the foundation of Seabury Hall. In 1964, when Aunty Kate Cooper worked alongside Bishop Harry Kennedy and our founding Chaplain and Headmaster, the Rev. Roger Melrose, they sought to build an Episcopal School that celebrates academic excellence through respect and dignity of character.
As we sing our Alma Mater, our School Song, may we honor our ancestors past and present, and be unified in our mission to live full, yet balanced, lives: lives infused with our school values of empowerment, passion, integrity, and curiosity.
