The Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band; Photo: Ken Rubin/Facebook
After nixing the pro-Confederate state song from its lineup at the start of the school year, the University of Maryland marching band made an announcement saying that it’ll be holding a contest for students to rewrite the lyrics to “Maryland, My Maryland.”
University President Wallace Loh supported the decision and said that the revised song could allow the band to reinstate the song in their pregame performance. The song features pro-Confederate lyrics, and refers to Abraham Lincoln as a “despot” and the Union as “Northern Scum.”
Music school director Jason Geary expressed excitement over the competition believing it’ll boost moral within the student body. “I think the point here is that it does give students a voice,” Geary told The Diamondback, an independent newspaper located in College Park.
“This is something that engages not just school of music or the college of arts and humanities, but really reaches out across the university. It’s an issue that clearly inflames passions on both sides, and also something that is timely and relevant.”
A committee made up of students, faculty and staff will comb through the submissions and announce the winner in early December. Prizes include: $1,500 for the winning entry, and $750 and $500 for second and third place. Entries must be at least one verse in length and co-authored lyrics are allowed. The deadline is November 20th and is open to all students.
