NFL Films composer shares music in Green Bay

GREEN BAY - Legendary NFL Films composer Sam Spence was in Green Bay on Friday to share his music.

Spence played for about 1,000 school kids Friday morning at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay. He performed along with the Green Bay Civic Symphony and the UW-Green Bay Wind Symphony.

The 82-year-old was hired by NFL Films in 1966, the year of the first Super Bowl.

"I always try to get a lot of melody and ear worms, you know, that people will remember. Evidently, it worked," said Spence.

Spence composed more than 700 titles for NFL Films before he retired in 1990. Many believe his music is the "sound" of football.

"He is football. He is the background of football and I think if you had to watch a football game or any of the commentators speak, it would be very much different without Sam's music," said Cheryl Murphy, a harpist and president of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay.

Murphy said Spence's music is also a great way to get children interested in the arts.

"It's a little bit different than classical music. It has this wonderful beat and a lot of percussion, a lot of brass. That is what kids really like," said Murphy.

Spence has loved the sport ever since attending college at USC.

"Football is it. The greatest sport," said Spence.

He hopes his music captures the essence of going to battle on the football field.

"It has spanned generations and this, to me, is really what it's all about," said Spence.