Music of Montana
Encyclopedia
Montana
is a state of the United States
. While only the 41st state to enter the union (1889) and only 44th in population (4 Western and 2 Eastern states have fewer people), the state is very diverse in its European-descended population; Cornish, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French-Canadian, Norwegian, Faroese, Finnish, Slovak, Serbian, Luxembourgish, Northern and Southern Italian, Ashkenazi Jewish, Cajun, Swiss German, and Basque are just some of the ethnicities/nationalities of Europeans who settled in the territory, and then state. The Native American population of the state is also, both traditionally and in modern times, extremely diverse, with more than two dozen ethnic groups (belonging to multiple ethnolinguistic groups) represented. Due to its migration patterns and place in the American West, Montana has a very long history of pioneer folk
folk music and cowboy
songs and poetry. The state also has a tradition of baroque, classical, and romantic era music: two prominent musical institutions, both classical, are the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1958, and the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1963. The Helena Symphony was founded in 1955 and known to be one of the premier symphonies of Montana and the Northwest as a whole.
Montana has two official state songs: "Montana
" and "Montana Melody".
, Crow, Flathead, Cheyenne, Chippewa-Cree, Gros Ventre, Assiniboine and Sioux
. An example of the modern synthesis of popular and traditional Native music in Montana is Jack Gladstone
, a folk musician and lecturer/presenter who embraces Native themes, and who has collaborated with fellow Montana musician Rob Quist
.
, formerly of the Mission Mountain Wood Band
. The Bridger Creek Boys http://bridgercreekboys.com , of Bozeman, are a Bluegrass band that were finalists at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's 2007 Best New Band Contest.
Other popular musicians from Montana include Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament
, and guitarist/producer Steve Albini
. Grunge pioneer Bruce Fairweather
is also from Montana. Another well known band includes Helena and Missoula's The Skoidats
, who recorded on New York City's Moon Ska label in the late 1990s. Members of the Portland band The Decemberists
are from Montana, and were in a band named after the small town of Tarkio, in Mineral County
. Doug Adkins
is a Country Singer, born in Havre, Montana
- Bozeman.
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
is a state of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. While only the 41st state to enter the union (1889) and only 44th in population (4 Western and 2 Eastern states have fewer people), the state is very diverse in its European-descended population; Cornish, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French-Canadian, Norwegian, Faroese, Finnish, Slovak, Serbian, Luxembourgish, Northern and Southern Italian, Ashkenazi Jewish, Cajun, Swiss German, and Basque are just some of the ethnicities/nationalities of Europeans who settled in the territory, and then state. The Native American population of the state is also, both traditionally and in modern times, extremely diverse, with more than two dozen ethnic groups (belonging to multiple ethnolinguistic groups) represented. Due to its migration patterns and place in the American West, Montana has a very long history of pioneer folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
folk music and cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
songs and poetry. The state also has a tradition of baroque, classical, and romantic era music: two prominent musical institutions, both classical, are the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1958, and the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1963. The Helena Symphony was founded in 1955 and known to be one of the premier symphonies of Montana and the Northwest as a whole.
Montana has two official state songs: "Montana
Montana (song)
"Montana" is the state song of the state of Montana. It was written by Charles Cohan and composed by Joseph E. Howard and was adopted as the state song on February 20, 1945.- Lyrics :...
" and "Montana Melody".
Native American music
Montana is home to several Native American Reservations and traditionally to more than two dozen distinct tribes, each with their own forms of music. These include the BlackfootBlackfoot music
Blackfoot music is the music of the Blackfoot tribes . Singing predominates and was accompanied only by percussion. Bruno Nettl Blackfoot music is the music of the Blackfoot tribes (best translated in the Blackfoot language as nitsínixki - "I sing", from nínixksini - "song"). Singing predominates...
, Crow, Flathead, Cheyenne, Chippewa-Cree, Gros Ventre, Assiniboine and Sioux
Sioux music
The Sioux are a diverse group of Native Americans generally divided into three subgroups: Lakota, Dakota and Nakota.Among the Dakota, traditional dance songs generally begin in a high pitch, led by a single vocalist who sings a phrase that is then repeated by a group. This phrase then cascades to...
. An example of the modern synthesis of popular and traditional Native music in Montana is Jack Gladstone
Jack Gladstone
Jack Gladstone was a Guyanese slave who led the Demerara Slave rebellion of 1823, one of the biggest slave revolts in the British Colonies.He was tried after the rebellion, and was deported.- Biography :...
, a folk musician and lecturer/presenter who embraces Native themes, and who has collaborated with fellow Montana musician Rob Quist
Rob Quist
Rob Quist is an American singer, guitarist, banjo player and award-winning songwriter. His songs have been recorded by artists Michael Martin Murphey and Loretta Lynn among others. He is known as a Musical and Cultural Ambassador for the state of Montana and was appointed to the Montana Arts...
.
Popular music
Montana country musicians include Rob QuistRob Quist
Rob Quist is an American singer, guitarist, banjo player and award-winning songwriter. His songs have been recorded by artists Michael Martin Murphey and Loretta Lynn among others. He is known as a Musical and Cultural Ambassador for the state of Montana and was appointed to the Montana Arts...
, formerly of the Mission Mountain Wood Band
Mission Mountain Wood Band
Mission Mountain Wood Band , abbreviated M2WB, is an American bluegrass and country rock band formed in Missoula, Montana in 1971. They were noted for headlining Woodstock style concerts in Montana,notably the University of Montana's Aber Day kegger. They also toured nationally, mostly playing...
. The Bridger Creek Boys http://bridgercreekboys.com , of Bozeman, are a Bluegrass band that were finalists at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's 2007 Best New Band Contest.
Other popular musicians from Montana include Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament
Jeff Ament
Jeffrey Allen Ament is an American musician who serves as the bassist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of Pearl Jam...
, and guitarist/producer Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. Grunge pioneer Bruce Fairweather
Bruce Fairweather
Bruce Fairweather is a guitarist/bassist based in Seattle. In 1985, he replaced Steve Turner in the grunge band Green River, which included Mark Arm , Alex Vincent as well as Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, later of Pearl Jam....
is also from Montana. Another well known band includes Helena and Missoula's The Skoidats
The Skoidats
The Skoidats were a band that played music combining elements of ska, Oi!, jazz, and punk rock.They had a contemporary sound rooted in the 1960s ska traditions of Baba Brooks, the Ethiopians and the Skatalites. Unlike some ska-related bands, the Skoidats' sound varied greatly from song to song...
, who recorded on New York City's Moon Ska label in the late 1990s. Members of the Portland band The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
are from Montana, and were in a band named after the small town of Tarkio, in Mineral County
Mineral County, Montana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,884 people, 1,584 households, and 1,067 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,961 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
. Doug Adkins
Doug Adkins
Douglas Martin Adkins , is a country music singer and songwriter. He has recorded 8 studio albums between 1990 and 2010, and received a #1 hit on the European with the song "Whiskey Salesman on...
is a Country Singer, born in Havre, Montana
Havre, Montana
Havre is a city in, and the county seat of, Hill County, Montana, United States. It is said to be named after the city of Le Havre in France. The population was 9,621 at the 2000 census.-History:...
Music education
Post-secondary educational institutions which offer a program or major in music include the University of Montana - Missoula and Montana State UniversityMontana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
- Bozeman.
External links
- Montana Music Music playlist for Billings, Montana, in the 1880s
- Montana Punk
- Montana Metal