Schenectady Theme Song
The Composer[edit]
Cliff Brucker, a drummer, pianist, keyboardist, composer, producer and educator, created what is now known as the Schenectady Theme Song. Brucker has a Bachelor's in Music from when he attended the prestigious Crane School of Music located at SUNY Potsdam. He has been a musician for over five decades and dedicates his music to mainly jazz. He has prior history playing with some of the jazz greats such as Clark Terry, Phil Woods, and Lionel Hampton. So, it's safe to say that Brucker has quite some respect with the musician community specifically in jazz.
In addition to earning to his own title, Brucker is an active music educator, having taught music at Skidmore College, Siena College, and Schenectady County Community College, among others. He has instructed various jazz drumming studios/expert classes and coached many sprouting artists.
Furthermore, Brucker has been recognized for his contributions to the music industry with numerous awards and honors. He was named Schenectady City School District Wall of Distinction in 2015 and received the Schenectady County Arts Award for Music in 2018.
Because of this, Brucker paid homage to the city of Schenectady and its long history in the Schenectady Theme Song. The lyrics emphasize Schenectady's role in industry and innovation, and the tune is catchy and upbeat. It is frequently played at local celebrations and events because it has developed into a beloved and easily recognizable city symbol. In 2015/16, the City of Schenectady declared it as the official song for the community.
Overall, Cliff Brucker is a talented and successful musician who has had a significant impact on jazz. and in his hometown of Schenectady. His talent as a composer and love for the city are reflected in Schenectady's Theme Song.
Personal Opinion[edit]
I think the Schenectady theme is a really solid composition. While it may not be the most inventive or catchy piece of music, it's energetic, catchy and perfect for Schenectady's city anthem. In fact, I'd say it's significantly better than any other urban anthems I've heard before; for example, the (Albany Theme Song) is much less catchy and less motivational.
Cliff Brucker obviously had to work within certain parameters when writing the Schenectady Theme Song, such as the requirement to include certain words and themes about the city, but I think he did a remarkable job. The song is a fitting tribute to the history and culture of the city and embodies the spirit of Schenectady as a center of creativity, industry and community.
The Schenectady theme song is good, enjoyable music that does its job well, although it may not be a musical masterpiece. I believe Cliff Brucker deserves credit for writing a song that has become a beloved symbol of Schenectady and helps unite locals to celebrate our common identity.
References[edit]
https://dailygazette.com/2015/09/22/0922_Song/