Even though Maria Schneider is 1,205 miles away from U.S. Bank Stadium, the Grammy-winning composer watches Vikings games at her New York City apartment.
She was so inspired by the 2018 Minneapolis Miracle — remember when Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs caught a desperation last-second touchdown to win a playoff game? — that she immediately composed a Vikings fight song and recorded it with a little help from superstar soprano Renée Fleming and trombonists from the award-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra.
But when the Vikings were routed a week later in the NFC Championship game, a disillusioned Schneider lost momentum to fight for her song.
Until this year, that is.
With her team on a roll — the Vikings are 14-2 and could earn the NFC’s top seed with a win over Detroit in their regular-season finale Sunday — the Minnesota native is trying to drum up attention for her 50-second rouser, her first piece with lyrics.
“I’ve waited my whole life to see the Vikings go all the way — I just wanted to do my part,” said Schneider, who grew up in Windom and graduated from the University of Minnesota.
First, she did her homework after the Minneapolis Miracle back in January 2018.
“I looked up online what the fight song was for the Vikings, and it was so lame, I’m sorry to say,” she said. “They need something with testosterone. Something befitting the name Vikings. The Vikings are warriors.”