Vikes Nation Rally Song

Update January 2014: The winner of UVic's School of Music / Vikes Nation Rally Song Contest was decided at the Vikes men’s basketball game on Jan. 10—and first prize went to the music school's songwriting instructor Colleen Eccleston.  Vikes Nation Rally Song (YouTube)

The University of Victoria has never had a rally song for fans to sing during Vikes games. Now that is about to change, thanks to a new contest launched today by UVic’s School of Music and Vikes Athletics.

While the crowd can readily chant “Let’s go Vikes, let’s go!” at any UVic game, it isn’t the same as having a UVic-specific rally song sporting unique and memorable music and lyrics. “It's important that our fans have a rally song to cheer during games,” says UVic’s Director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation Clint Hamilton.”

The public and campus community are invited to submit original compositions. Songs should be no longer than 20 seconds. Any style of music is welcome—from chants and jazz to rock and hip hop—but the winning song should be easily sung and performed by game-day crowds with no accompaniment. (Full contest details are available on Ring.ca, UVic’s community news source.)

“Music plays a vital role in encouraging community, spirit, and success,” says UVic’s Director of the School of Music Susan Lewis Hammond. “The School of Music is excited to support the rally song contest at UVic. Our partnership with Vikes Athletics speaks to a shared commitment to teamwork, collaboration, and excellence in student training and performance.”

Each submission (lyrics plus a YouTube link of the song being performed) should be sent to https://finearts.uvic.ca/forms/music/rally/ for judging, which will occur in December.

The winning songwriter will receive a $500 iPad courtesy of PepsiCo Canada, which is proud to partner with Vikes Nation and UVic’s School of Music on this school spirit initiative.

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