Schenectady, city ‘tried and true,’ scores a theme song

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

SCCC students Brendan Donavan and Amanda Cuthbert, and Adjunct Professor Cliff Brucker asing the song "Schenectady's the Place" in the school's new recording studio on Tuesday.

If Schenectady were to have a theme song, what would it be?

For those who’ve ever pondered that question, here’s the answer: “Schenectady’s the Place.”

That’s the name of the city’s song/jingle that was made by Schenectady County Community College’s faculty and staff.

“Schenectady’s the Place”

Sing along with “Schenectady is the Place:”

Itâs in our DNA, itâs what we are today
Our history abounds, you can see it all around,
Edison and Steinmetz brains, ALCO built the trains
we lit and hauled the world, innovation is our fame

(Climb)

Just look at us today, a renaissance is under way
A community reborn, success is here to stay;

(Chorus)

Schenectadyâs the place, a city tried and true
Schenectady’s the place, weâre the city right for you

Arts and culture for your eyes, from Proctorâs to MiSci
Educational opportunity, from Union College to SCCC
Casino by the shore, Hotels, Restaurants galore
it’s such a fabulous place, there’s so much to explore

(Climb)

Central park’s a place to play, a renaissance is under way,
A community reborn, hereâs what we have to say,
(Modulate up) Come check us out today

(Chorus)

Schenectadyâs the place, a city tried and true
Schenectady’s the place, weâre the city,
weâre the city, weâre the city right for you

The song’s lyrics touch on the history of the city, its more recent growth and mention staples like Proctors, miSci and the future casino.

“Schenectady’s the place, a city tried and true. Schenectady’s the place, we’re the city right for you,” the chorus says.

Cliff Brucker, an adjunct instructor of music at SCCC, wrote and produced the song that he says showcases the city and the college, and encourages people to visit and live here.

“ ‘Come to Schenectady’ is the whole idea,” he said. “That’s what I tried to portray. We have one of the most famous colleges in the country, Union College, and we will have this new casino.”

Brucker, who wrote jingles for the Civil Services Employees Association while working with Nowak Advertising Agency in Albany, said he had the idea for a Schenectady theme song for years.

Brucker said he pitched the idea of the song to Mayor Gary McCarthy while out to dinner with their wives. Brucker is married to former city councilwoman Denise Brucker.

“They all loved it,” he said. “I asked if there was money to produce it. He said there was no money for that during election season.”

Instead, Brucker used SCCC’s Vianna-Brignola Studio at the School of Music to record the song, and recruited students Amanda Cuthbert and Brendan Donavan to sing it for the recording.

The group plans to perform the Schenectady theme song at a City Council meeting Monday evening.

Brucker said he sent the song to Proctors CEO Philip Morris with the option for Open Stage Media to use it on television. He hopes the city and college also use it to promote the area.

“I want OSM to use it as often as they can,” he said. “I’m also going to do a short tag where you just have the chorus. People can use it anywhere there is a need “trfor it.”

McCarthy said he believes the song is a continuation of the great things happening in Schenectady.

“I think it is positive and the tune is catchy,” he said. “I don’t have any specific plans for it, but will look for ways to incorporate it.”