Charles Ives

March Omega Lambda Chi

Down the moving line suddenly came the surging chant:

Chi Rho Omega Lambda Chi!
We meet tonight to celebrate
The Omega Lambda Chi!''

'Omega Lambda Chi' was a fictitious fraternity created by someYale sophomores in the 1870's. Freshmen were pledged to a non-existent society so they would buy the sophomores cigars and drinks. By the 1880's the name 'Omega Lambda Chi' had become applied to a wild May night of campusfestivities. Classes paraded (sometimes with a band) singing, shooting firecrackers, and cheering the buildings of the Old Campus. Climaxing the rough and tumble evening was the 'Pass of Thermopolae. ' In this brutal affair, theFreshman class ran the gauntlet through the large stone Phelps Gateway while receiving the blows of the three upper classes. March: Omega Lambda Chi was probably written during Ives' Christmas vacationin 1895 and completed upon his return to school. It bears the title 'March on the air: Omega Lambda Chi, 76 South Middle Campus, January 4, 1896. ' The Yale Daily News reports that the ceremony took place that spring (May 18, 1896)and that one of Ives' best friends D. C. Twitchell (later his brother-in-law) was one of the Omega Lambda Chi marshals. By 1900, the Omega Lambda Chi had become too dangerous and was outlawed by the faculty. Another Ivescomposition which was inspired by a Yale festive evening is Calcium Light Night.

Charles Ives was a Yale student from 1894-1898. He was a popular figure on campus and was very active in social, athletic, and musicallife. In 1928 Ives made a list of his band music on the back of one of his insurance company calendars. At least ten original band works are thought to have existed; there are numerous others that were band inspired. OnlyMarch: Omega Lambda Chi and March: Intercollegiate have been found complete in their band form. The tune 'Omega Lambda Chi' is derived from 'Sailing, sailing' found in the first strain. The second strain and trio