|
The Music of North Dakota has followed general American trends over much of its history, beginning with ragtime and folk music, moving into Big Band and Jazz. With the development of mass media, local artists in North Dakota, as in the rest of the country, saw a rapid loss of opportunity to create popular music.
State Song
The official state song is called the "North Dakota Hymn". It was written by a poet named James Foley in 1926, so it could be sung along with the tune of "The Austrian Hymn". C. S. Putman arranged the music with distinct ragtime syncopation. The song remains obscure, and most state residents could not even tell you the name of the state song, let alone sing it.
Classical Music
Prominent musical institutions in North Dakota include the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, which is more than seventy years old. The Western Plains Opera company of Minot stages two performances a year. Music productions at the state's universities tend to be of high calibre as well.
Modern Music
Much of the modern music made in the North Dakota consists of youth bands emulating popular styles. Metal bands were popular in the 1980s. Chuck Klosterman wrote a tongue-in-cheek book on his experiences in the rock scene in North Dakota in the book Fargo Rock City. Today, punk rock dominates this youth scene, though it is by no means exclusive. Many of the acts are transient, seeking opportunity in larger cities, or breaking up as the band members grow older and move their separate ways.
Though some organizations, such as the AMP, attempt to provide additional opportunity to local artists, the music economy in the state does not have sufficient backing to allow musicians to "quit their day jobs," though touring artists have often found North Dakota venues to be a worthwhile stop on long cross-country drives.
External links
|
