Cal Songs
Toast to California
Written in 1956 by James Murray Hunt; arranged by Howdy Brownson.
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Sound Clip: MP3 (1048 KB)
California, here's to Thee;
Honor to thy name;
Alma Mater, carry on
To fortune and to fame.
Queen beside the Western Sea
Rule our destiny;
Stand for right,
Let there be Light,
California, Here's to Thee.
Legend has it that James Murray Hunt, '17, became so enthused at a Glee Club - Treble Clef Alumni Reunion in 1956, he was inspired to complete a song he had been working on -- A Toast to California. He convinced the Glee Club's Senior Men's Octet to inaugurate the song at a Peninsula party, and this beautiful acapella song quickly became a part of the repertory of the Glee Club and the Treble Clef, as well as the Cal Band. Traditionally this piece is sung in four part harmony by the Band at formal occasions.