In 1914, Earl V. Moore composed the fight song (Push On!) and alma mater (The Purple and White) for Ann Arbor High School. Earl V. Moore served as director of the Ann Arbor High School Men's Glee Club from 1913-14, and later went on to become the first dean of the University of Michigan School of Music from 1921-1960. The words for The Purple and White were written by Margaret Cooley.

Earl V. Moore

Born in Lansing in 1890, Earl V. Moore graduated with a Bachelors of Art degree from LSA in 1912 from the University of Michigan. He also received his Masters of Art degree from the University of Michigan in 1914. He was an organ player.7

Under Earl V. Moore’s direction, the school of music, originally a private school, became affiliated with the University of Michigan. It became the University of Michigan School of Music in 1946.8 The School of Music building was named after him on May 3, 1975 when he was 85 years old.9 His wife was Blanche Anderson, which the Blanch Anderson Moore Hall was named after.

Earl V. Moore was a co-composer of the "Varsity" football march. He worked with Fred Lawton, who wrote the lyrics, when they were students at the University of Michigan.7

Push On!

Pioneer High School Fight Song

Music by Earl V. Moore

Push on, Ann Arbor, we’re here to stay,

Backing you all the way, Rah! Rah! Rah!

Purple for valor, White for the true,

Stand by the school that stands by you.

Push on to victory, fight all the way,

Cheer for your school today, Ann Arbor! (Yell)

Valor and truth will win any fray,

Push on to victory, Ann Arbor! (Yell)

The Purple and White

Pioneer High School Alma Mater

Music by Earl V. Moore, Words by Margaret Horton Cooley

Lo, when a king comes forth in glory,

Purple are his robes and white;

White is the sign of truth and honor,

Purple is the sign of might.

Then Hail! All Hail! To the Purple and the White.

To the grand old colors that stand for what is right.

Then Cheer! All Cheer! For the school we love so true.

And though we wander far, Ann Arbor High,

Our hearts will turn back to you.