Full Description
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.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
1. Northern Cheyenne Love Songs
2. The Genesis: The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
3. Trailblazers: Explorers, Mountain Men, and Missionaries
4. Setting the Stage for the Oregon Trail: American Musical Life and Oregon Fever (circa 1830-1850)
5. Life on the Oregon Trail
6. The Music at the Heart of the Oregon Trail Experience
7. We're There! Music on the Homestead and in Early Frontier Communities
8. Whoopie Ti Yi Yo: Music and the Real Cowboys in the Old West
9. Music in the Settled West: Three Distinct Frontier Communities in 1890
10. Western Inspiration: Scholars, Composers, and Musicians
Epilogue
Appendix A: Selected Songs and Musical Works
Appendix B: Suggested Recordings
Appendix C: Musical Scores
Appendix D: Meaningful Musical Experiences: Ideas to Get You Started on Your Own Musical Journey
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
