Music of Wyoming
Encyclopedia
The music of Wyoming includes a number of well-regarded music festival
s, as well as a heritage that includes Native American, European and African American music.
tribes in the present-day U.S. state
of Wyoming
. European settlers later arrived, bringing with them harmonica
s, flute
s, fiddle
s and guitar
s, because these were relatively lightweight and easy to carry on the frontier. The military played a major role in the historical development of the music of Wyoming. Virtually all posts had a band, and many soldiers learned to play the bugle
and served in the drum and bugle corps
. Military music was often the most prominent source of entertainment in many parts of early colonial Wyoming.
at the end of July. The festival features various crafts, dances and food, as well as major country concerts every night. Shoshoni
is home to the Old-time Fiddlers' Contest, while nearby Riverton
hosts the Cowboy Poetry Round-up every October. The town of Cody
is well-known for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
, which features various music events throughout the year, while Jackson
also hosts many music events during the year, especially Old West Days and the Cowboy Ski Challenger; the nearby Grand Targhee Resort is home to the annual Bluegrass Music Festival. Jackson Hole is also home to the Grand Teton Music Festival
, one of the largest festivals in the state.
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
s, as well as a heritage that includes Native American, European and African American music.
Music history
The first music in Wyoming was played by various Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes in the present-day U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. European settlers later arrived, bringing with them harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
s, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
s, fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
s and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, because these were relatively lightweight and easy to carry on the frontier. The military played a major role in the historical development of the music of Wyoming. Virtually all posts had a band, and many soldiers learned to play the bugle
Bugle (instrument)
The bugle is one of the simplest brass instruments, having no valves or other pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player's embouchure, since the bugle has no other mechanism for controlling pitch. Consequently, the bugle is limited to notes within the harmonic series...
and served in the drum and bugle corps
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
. Military music was often the most prominent source of entertainment in many parts of early colonial Wyoming.
Music institutions
Music institutions in Wyoming include the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.Music festivals
Music festivals in Wyoming include the Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration, which dates back to 1896 and draws 300,000 people to CheyenneCheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the...
at the end of July. The festival features various crafts, dances and food, as well as major country concerts every night. Shoshoni
Shoshoni, Wyoming
Shoshoni is a town in Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 635 at the 2000 census. The town is named for the Shoshone tribe of Native Americans, most of whom live on the nearby Wind River Indian Reservation...
is home to the Old-time Fiddlers' Contest, while nearby Riverton
Riverton, Wyoming
Riverton is a city in Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. It is both the largest city in the county and the largest within the historical boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The city's population was 9,310 at the 2000 census...
hosts the Cowboy Poetry Round-up every October. The town of Cody
Cody, Wyoming
Cody is a city in Park County, Wyoming, United States. It is named after William Frederick Cody, primarily known as Buffalo Bill, from William Cody's part in the creation of the original town. The population was 9,520 at the 2010 census...
is well-known for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is a complex of museums displaying artifacts and art of the American West located in Cody, Wyoming. Founded in 1917, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center is the oldest museum in the West...
, which features various music events throughout the year, while Jackson
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
also hosts many music events during the year, especially Old West Days and the Cowboy Ski Challenger; the nearby Grand Targhee Resort is home to the annual Bluegrass Music Festival. Jackson Hole is also home to the Grand Teton Music Festival
Grand Teton Music Festival
Located in Jackson Hole at the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the Grand Teton Music Festival offers seven weeks of classical music concerts each summer. The Festival Orchestra is the centerpiece of Grand Teton Music Festival's programming...
, one of the largest festivals in the state.