Fenwick Alma Mater

Lyrics to the Fenwick Alma Mater:

Praise and glory to thy name
Honor to the school we claim
Fenwick High we hail thee, cherish thee
May our lives reflect thy noble aim,
Keep us steadfast, firm and true
That in all we say and do
We will pledge our faith anew
To the name of Fenwick.

Chorus:

Fenwick High, our alma mater
Inspiration of our youth
Loyal hearts and voices praise thee
Fount of learning and of truth.
Lead the way that we may follow
Neath thy crimson and thy gold
Courage, honor, faith imparting
Fenwick spirit brave and bold!

Click here to listen to the Alma Mater (vocal arrangement by Jason A. Umberg, Sr.)

The Fenwick Alma Mater was composed by J. Alfred Schel in 1952. From Hymnary.org:

Alfred Schehl was a prominent Cincinnati composer, choirmaster, and church organist. At age 16, he was employed as an organist at St. Stanislaus Church and became a violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He attended Xavier University and the Cincinnati University College Conservatory of Music (CCM) before studying in Rome for a year.

In 1906, Schehl was appointed as the assistant conductor of the famed Cincinnati May Festival. He served at St. John Church and Holy Trinity Church before settling at St. Lawrence (Price Hill) in 1912, where he remained for 47 years. J. Alfred Schehl compiled and edited the St. Cecilia Hymnal, which at the time was the official hymnal of several Catholic archdioceses. Additionally, he wrote over fifty major compositions—both sacred and secular—including eight masses, several motets, and numerous volumes of organ music. His music was heard around the world and was performed in various churches, regardless of creed.

Schehl is also credited with composing the Elder School Song.  It can be assumed that J Alfred Schehl was commissioned to compose Fenwick’s Alma Mater by our founding principal, Fr. Julian Krusling, who was an alumni and later a faculty member of Elder High School before his appointment by Archbishop Alter to establish a Catholic High School in Middletown, Ohio.