Hail to the Hills of Westwood: A History of UCLA's Alma Mater and Musical Traditions

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), nestled in the hills of Westwood overlooking the Pacific Ocean, boasts a rich history interwoven with academic excellence, athletic prowess, and vibrant traditions. Among these traditions, music plays a pivotal role, fostering school spirit and uniting the Bruin community. This article explores the history of UCLA's alma mater, "Hail to the Hills of Westwood," its significance within the university's culture, and the broader musical landscape of UCLA, including its marching band and other school songs.

The Origins of "Hail to the Hills of Westwood"

Before "Hail to the Hills of Westwood," UCLA's first alma mater was "Hail Blue and Gold," written by a UCLA student in 1925. However, in 1929, Jeane Emerson composed "Hail to the Hills of Westwood," a song that would later become synonymous with UCLA's identity. It wasn't until 1960 that "Hail to the Hills of Westwood" was officially adopted as the university's alma mater, replacing the earlier song.

The Lyrics and Their Meaning

"Hail to the Hills of Westwood" consists of two principal stanzas that form its complete lyrical structure, typically sung in a verse-like format without a distinct repeating chorus. The song centers on themes of geographic pride, communal loyalty, and institutional resilience, drawing directly from UCLA's setting and identity.

The opening lines, "Hail to the hills of Westwood, hail to the mighty sea below," evoke the university's picturesque location in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Westwood hills represent stability and prominence, metaphorically elevating UCLA above challenges while grounding it in California's diverse landscape. The "mighty sea" alludes to the nearby Pacific, reinforcing the institution's connection to the state's coastal heritage.

The second verse reinforces allegiance to UCLA's colors and regional identity. The song reflects broader cultural values of regional allegiance and optimism in Southern California, portraying UCLA as a conquering force loyal to the "Southland" amid the state's growth and identity formation. Composed in 1929 by Jeane Emerson, it contrasts with earlier shared alma maters by asserting UCLA's distinct Southern California character, separate from UC Berkeley.

Musical Composition and Performance

The melody of "Hail to the Hills of Westwood" is characterized by an upbeat march style. Harmonically, the composition employs simple chord progressions, which provides a straightforward foundation ideal for ensemble performances by marching bands or a cappella groups. Influenced by traditional American folk marches, the original orchestration prioritizes brass instrumentation to ensure clear projection in large stadium environments.

The song has seen several notable variations adapted for diverse ensembles and occasions over the decades. It is routinely performed by the UCLA Bruin Marching Band following all athletic contests, including home football games at the Rose Bowl Stadium and basketball games at Pauley Pavilion, regardless of the game's outcome. At UCLA commencement ceremonies, the song is a staple, typically sung by selected student vocalists or accompanied by the marching band to mark graduates' achievements.

The Enduring Significance of "Hail to the Hills of Westwood"

"Hail to the Hills of Westwood" has served as an enduring symbol of Bruin loyalty and school spirit since its adoption as UCLA's official alma mater in 1960. The song's lyrics, emphasizing unwavering devotion to the "Blue and Gold" and the hills overlooking the Pacific, have deeply integrated into UCLA's cultural customs, particularly through communal singing at the conclusion of athletic events. Over the decades, the alma mater has inspired elements of UCLA's branding and fan engagement, appearing in official communications and merchandise that evoke nostalgia and institutional pride. In the 2020s, digital revivals have sustained the song's relevance amid evolving student demographics, with UCLA's official social media channels incorporating its phrases in posts celebrating graduations and campus life.

Other School Songs: A Broader Musical Landscape

While "Hail to the Hills of Westwood" holds a special place as UCLA's alma mater, other songs contribute to the university's musical identity.

"Sons of Westwood" ("The Bruin Warriors")

One primary alternative is "Sons of Westwood," also known as "The Bruin Warriors," which features a more aggressive tone introduced by a signature "bear growl" at its start. The song adapts the melody of "Big C," a 1913 fight song composed by Harold P. Williams with lyrics by N. Loyall McLaren.

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The history of "Sons of Westwood" is intertwined with a rivalry and a musical borrowing from UC Berkeley. During the 1950s, UCLA participated in an All-UC Weekend, which featured double-header football games with UCLA vs. UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Davis. All four bands would perform together in a halftime show. For the 1959 game, UCLA Director Kelly James arranged a new version of Cal's fight song "Big C." Due to the "bear growl" introduction in this arrangement, it was popular with the UCLA students and was soon adopted as a new UCLA fight song.

This appropriation sparked controversy, with James Berdahl, then director of the Cal Band, feeling it was a violation of the sanctity of Cal songs. A bitter exchange ensued, but in 1969, the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress determined that "Big C" had never been copyrighted, and thus it was in the Public Domain, giving UCLA every legal right to adapt the song. Despite the legal justification, the song remained a point of contention for some at UC Berkeley.

"The Mighty Bruins"

Another key fight song is "The Mighty Bruins," an instrumental victory march composed in 1984 by Academy Award-winning musician Bill Conti, with lyrics by Barbara Lamb (class of 1966) and Don Holley (class of 1984). It was commissioned by the UCLA Alumni Association to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

"Rover"

In the late ’60s, a band student wrote lyrics to a popular tune being played during football games, “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.” The UCLA song was retitled “Rover.” At the height of the legendary John Wooden era, “Rover” was played only after lopsided basketball victories, which were virtually every game.

"By the Old Pacific"

It’s full name “By the Old Pacific’s Rolling Waters,” (simply known as “By”) was composed in 1922 by Thomas Vickers ‘Vic’ Beall ’26, then the newly appointed leader of the ROTC Band. It served as UCLA’s main fight song until Sons of Westwood overtook it in 1962.

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The UCLA Bruin Marching Band: The Solid Gold Sound

The UCLA Bruin Marching Band, known as "The Solid Gold Sound of UCLA," is an integral part of the university's musical traditions and school spirit. Founded in 1919 (though formalized in 1928), the band comprises approximately 250 members and features both brass and woodwind instruments.

The band's style incorporates a corp glide-step halftime show and a high-step pre-game performance. Their signature cheer is the "Eight Claps," which is incorporated into both "The Mighty Bruins" and "Bruin Warriors." The band was awarded the Sudler Trophy in 1993, a recognition of excellence in college marching bands.

The Bruin Marching Band plays a vital role in creating a spirited atmosphere at UCLA athletic events. They perform at all home football games at the Rose Bowl and basketball games at Pauley Pavilion. Their repertoire includes "Hail to the Hills of Westwood," "The Mighty Bruins," "Strike Up the Band," and "Bruin Warriors," among other school songs and popular tunes.

The band typically travels to one away game per year, often to the Bay Area for games against Stanford or UC Berkeley. The band's travel schedule is sometimes affected by state legislation regarding travel to certain states for political reasons.

UCLA's Connection to the Entertainment Industry

UCLA's location in Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment industry, has fostered a strong connection between the university and Hollywood. Over the last 100 years, UCLA has set the scene for hundreds of Hollywood movies, with Bruins directing, dressing and designing films that have entertained and influenced generations.

As the premier public university in Los Angeles, UCLA is the natural home of Hollywood and independent filmmakers. It thrives not just as a location for drama and comedy, but also as an incubator of unique talent and creative invention, from writers and directors to designers and composers. Last year marked the centennial of the release of The Big Parade, the first major Hollywood film shot on the UCLA campus.

UCLA’s contribution to film has not been limited to its role as fertile ground for talent nor to its pretty locations. In 1965, the UCLA Film & Television Archive opened, its mission being to salvage notoriously flammable nitrate films considered relics of the past by Hollywood. Today, the Archive is a division of UCLA Library and its collection of around 160,000 movies and 130,000 television shows, as well as 27 million feet of newsreels, is conserved at a state-of-the art campus in Santa Clarita specially built, owned and operated by the Packard Humanities Institute.

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