BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- Three musicians with deep ties to Ascension Parish have collaborated to create the alma mater for Prairieville High School (PVHS), which opened in the fall. The alma mater, which will be played at events like football games, pep rallies, and graduations, was a joint effort between composer Paul Taranto and married lyricists Eric and Erin Perdue Brownfield. Click below to listen to the Prairieville High School alma mater sung by Paul Taranto and Erin Perdue. The Team Behind the Alma Mater Taranto, a lifelong Prairieville resident and 1976 graduate of East Ascension High School, brought decades of musical expertise to the project. A retired high school band director with 37 years of experience, he earned a degree in composition from LSU and later composed the score for the 1999 musical "Evangeline." Eric Brownfield teaches at East Ascension High School, where he was recently named "Teacher of the Year," while Erin serves as a choir teacher at PVHS and senior choir director for the parish. Together, the couple wrote the song’s lyrics, collaborating closely with Taranto to ensure a seamless blend of music and text. PVHS Principal Randy Loving commissioned the trio for the project, a task that Taranto described as both an honor and a meaningful way to give back to the community. Prairieville High School's gameday mascot revealed Crafting the Alma Mater The creative process began with the Brownfields drafting a paragraph to outline their vision for the lyrics. Taranto then developed a basic tune, drawing inspiration from other school songs to inform the melody and chord progression. The team met at Taranto’s home, where they refined their ideas together. “They began reconstructing their ideas, and I began tweaking the music to make it come together in a way that allowed the lyrical and musical ideas to flow and become one,” Taranto said. Erin Brownfield found inspiration in the school’s location, once a picturesque pasture with grazing cows. The result was a song that reflects both the community’s heritage and the school’s future. A Lasting Legacy The completed alma mater, orchestrated for the PVHS band, was presented to Principal Loving. Taranto expressed his pride in contributing to the community, saying, “It is impossible to express what it means as a composer to know that I have contributed to the community in this way and that my music will continue to be performed here for generations even after I am gone.” Eric Brownfield emphasized the importance of creating a sense of belonging for the new school: “A new school needs to have a sense of belonging, and we felt it was important to pay homage to what has come before.” Prairieville High School Alma MaterMusic by Paul Taranto Lyrics by Erin Perdue Brownfield and Eric BrownfieldIn a place among the prairies green, there Stands a school magnificent and strong, Down along the tranquil bayou side where Hearts and minds come together. Prairieville we sing our Alma Mater, Voices raised in song since ‘twenty-four, Stately halls reflected in the water Stand forever more.The mighty hurricane roaring, The banners blue and green, We celebrate our victory now And victories yet unseen.When we part and journey through the years, Where we go, whatever we may do, Prairieville, no matter far or near, Bring us home to you, bring us home to you. Latest News Here are 5 hot-button laws taking effect in 2025 Chief Justice Roberts condemns elected officials for intimidating judges  'Louisiana Saturday Night' float takes shape for Rose Parade in California FDA testing aged raw cow's milk cheese for bird flu Live tonight: Fireworks and The Jacksons set to welcome 2025 at Lone Star NYE