Memories That Last

St. Louis native Deanna Hansen graduated from Drury University in 1958. Nearly 50 years later, the proud alumna turned composer/pianist/vocalist wrote an album about her experiences at the university. Titled On Drury Lane, the album contains songs that were inspired by Hansen’s treasured college years. “My experiences at Drury were my inspiration, especially my freshman year,” Hansen says. The album started with a single song, about Hansen meeting her first boyfriend at the school.

“I mentioned that I wrote the song to a friend who now works in the alumni relations department at Drury,” Hansen says. “She listened and liked it and wanted me to share it with more people at Drury.” Hansen wrote four more songs before the initial meeting. A few more meetings and many hours in the studio later, Hansen released this 21-song album about Drury, including songs titled “My Lovely Drury Home,” “My Springfield Guy,” and “Forty Acres of Heaven.”

The album features easy-listening music that would fare as great background music at formal parties or provide a great trip down memory lane for Drury alumni. “It’s very nostalgic,” Hansen says. “It has a romantic feel overall, because I viewed college in a romantic way.”