Historic Mitchell Hamline commencement features music composed by 2016 graduate

Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s 2016 Spring Commencement will mark a historic moment. The 261 candidates for J.D. degrees will make up Mitchell Hamline’s first graduating class. The school was created by the combination of William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law in December 2015.

To mark the combination, and to celebrate the rich history of both schools, a member of the 2016 graduating class has composed a musical piece titled “Legacy”.

“It was an opportunity to mark the coming together of two great schools with great legacies,” said Alex Mueller.

Mueller, from Stevens Point, Wis., has been composing music since she began playing the viola in the 4^th grade.

She formed her own music publishing company, Fire Horse Music, a few years ago. She plans to continue working in the music industry after graduation and hopes to specialize in music licensing.

Mueller will experience the public premiere of her composition the same way her fellow graduates do, as a listener in the audience.

“It’s a surreal experience,” she said. “To have had this piece in my head, all to myself, and then all of a sudden everyone else can hear it, it’s very exciting.”

Mueller crafted the piece as a tribute to her fellow Mitchell Hamline graduates.

Listen closely, and you’ll hear three parts to Mueller’s composition.

She describes the opening fanfare as a call to action, declaring “This is your time, what are you going to do?”

The middle section of the piece is more subdued.

“It’s contemplative of where you’ve been,” Mueller said. “Everyone that’s been behind you supporting you, and whether you are going to rise to the occasion.”

The composition’s finale, Mueller said, represents the opportunities students have after graduation.

“The fanfare resumes the call to action, which builds up to a brief silence, symbolizing the individual’s opportunity to determine what their legacy will be. It ends triumphantly, optimistic that the listener will rise to the occasion,” Mueller said.

Mueller’s piece will be performed by a nine-piece brass and percussion ensemble at the end of Mitchell Hamline’s commencement on Sunday.

Mark Gordon, president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, said the ceremony will honor the newly combined school and its predecessor institutions.

“Sunday’s graduation is special as we celebrate the history of two wonderful institutions, the tremendous law school that Mitchell Hamline is now, and the limitless potential of the future both for our school and for our graduates.”

Dr. Fayneese Miller, president of Hamline University, will deliver the commencement speech at Sunday’s event.