I have no particular interest in sports. Never have. The closest this pointy-headed, bookie, piano & harpsichord player ever came to participating in an organized sport was playing saxophone in the marching band in high school.  Nonetheless, sports is hard to avoid.  About 14 years ago, while I was the engineer at The Philadelphia Orchestra, I was asked to make a special recording after a rehearsal. The Communications Department had arranged for The Fabulous Philadelphians to play the Eagles fight song, “Fly Eagles Fly”. Parts were handed ‘round, they played through it once to get a feel for the arrangement. Then they played it one more time. It was great! Truth be told classical musicians are just as wild about sports as your average Joe. Most of them already knew the tune. Hearing them play the diddy was very humanizing, especially the gusto they put into “E-A-G-L-E-S IGGLES!!”  It was a real tour de force of professionalism, musicianship, and civic pride. I’m sure that recording lives on in their archives, behind a mountain of rights. I hope it sees the light of day again. It’s really good!

Update: No sooner did I post this blog entry then I learned The Phiadelphian had re-recorded, this time with a video.  Enjoy!