Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

Over 400,000 people moved their families in search of a better life in the American West during the Westward Expansion. The pioneers made room for musical instruments with their guns, food, and tools, while taking only the minimal necessities that would fit into modest wagons. During what seemed like an interminable dusty journey, music was often the sole source of light and happiness for these exhausted travelers.

This book examines the roles of music in the Westward Expansion and the diverse cultural landscape of the Old West, including northern Cheyenne courtship flute makers, fiddle-playing explorers, dancing fur trappers, hymn-singing missionaries, frontier flutists, girls with guitars, wagon-driving balladeers, poetic cowboys, singing farmers, musical miners, and preaching songsters.

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Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

Over 400,000 people moved their families in search of a better life in the American West during the Westward Expansion. The pioneers made room for musical instruments with their guns, food, and tools, while taking only the minimal necessities that would fit into modest wagons. During what seemed like an interminable dusty journey, music was often the sole source of light and happiness for these exhausted travelers.

This book examines the roles of music in the Westward Expansion and the diverse cultural landscape of the Old West, including northern Cheyenne courtship flute makers, fiddle-playing explorers, dancing fur trappers, hymn-singing missionaries, frontier flutists, girls with guitars, wagon-driving balladeers, poetic cowboys, singing farmers, musical miners, and preaching songsters.

39.95 In Stock
Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

by Laura Dean
Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier

by Laura Dean

Paperback

$39.95 
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Overview

Over 400,000 people moved their families in search of a better life in the American West during the Westward Expansion. The pioneers made room for musical instruments with their guns, food, and tools, while taking only the minimal necessities that would fit into modest wagons. During what seemed like an interminable dusty journey, music was often the sole source of light and happiness for these exhausted travelers.

This book examines the roles of music in the Westward Expansion and the diverse cultural landscape of the Old West, including northern Cheyenne courtship flute makers, fiddle-playing explorers, dancing fur trappers, hymn-singing missionaries, frontier flutists, girls with guitars, wagon-driving balladeers, poetic cowboys, singing farmers, musical miners, and preaching songsters.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781476685229
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 06/06/2022
Pages: 223
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Laura Dean’s music career spans 25+ years and includes audiences in the United States, Europe, and Mexico. She lives in Seattle, Washington, where she performs, teaches, writes, records, creates music curricula, and offers private and public concerts along with school/community residencies and music education workshops.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Preface 1

Introduction 5

1 Northern Cheyenne Love Songs 9

2 The Genesis: The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) 22

3 Trailblazers: Explorers, Mountain Men, and Missionaries 36

4 Setting the Stage for the Oregon Trail: American Musical Life and Oregon Fever (circa 1830-1850) 53

5 Life on the Oregon Trail 69

6 The Music at the Heart of the Oregon Trail Experience 82

7 We're There! Music on the Homestead and in Early Frontier Communities 99

8 Whoopie Ti Yi Yo: Music and the Real Cowboys in the Old West 118

9 Music in the Settled West: Three Distinct Frontier Communities in 1890 136

10 Western Inspiration: Scholars, Composers, and Musicians 152

Epilogue 167

Appendix A Selected Songs and Musical Works 171

Appendix B Suggested Recordings 176

Appendix C Musical Scores 179

Appendix D Meaningful Musical Experiences: Ideas to Get You Started on Your Own Musical Journey 189

Chapter Notes 191

Bibliography 197

Index 203

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