Music of Wyoming

The music of Wyoming includes a number of well-regarded music festivals, as well as a heritage that includes Native American, European, and American music.

Music history

The first music in Wyoming was played by various Native Americans tribes in the present-day U.S. state of Wyoming. European settlers later arrived, bringing with them harmonicas, flutes, fiddles, and guitars 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.

Outsider musician Moondog lived in Wyoming as a child.

Pop punk band The Lillingtons were formed in Newcastle in 1995.

Notable Wyoming musicians

• Chris Ledoux – country music singer-songwriter, bronze sculptor, and rodeo champion.
• Chancey Williams – country music singer-songwriter and former saddle bronc rider.

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 Cheyenne 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 Oldtime 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 Challenge. The nearby Grand Targhee Resort in Alta is home to the annual Targhee Fest in mid-July, and their famous Bluegrass Festival in August. Jackson Hole is also home to the Grand Teton Music Festival, one of the largest festivals in the state.

External links

• Wyoming Music Educators Association
• Grand Teton Music Festival