Music of Alaska
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The Music of Alaska is a broad artistic field incorporating many cultures.
Contents |
[edit] History and overview
Alaska's original inhabitants were the Inupiaq, Aleut, Tlingit, among others. Later, Russian, English and Irish immigrants brought their own varieties of folk music. Alaska was home to some of the United States renowned performers, such as the folky singer Jewel. Traditional Aleut flautist Mary Youngblood is also well-known in her field, as is the folk singer-songwriter Libby Roderick and the traditional performing group Pamyua. However, Alaska also has it's fair share of heavier music, including metal band 36 Crazyfists.
[edit] State song
The official state song of Alaska is "Alaska's Flag", which was adopted in 1955; it celebrates the flag of Alaska. It was written by Marie Drake and set to music by Elinor Dusenbury. In 1960, Drake donated the song's copyright to the University of Alaska. Carol Beery Davis, a poet laureate, wrote the second verse, and donated her copyright to the University of Alaska Foundation in 1987.
[edit] Music festivals and ensembles
[edit] Folk
The Alaska Folk Festival, held every April in Juneau is among the state's most well-attended music festivals. The Fairbanks Winter Music Fest and the Anchorage Folk Festival are also well-known in their areas. The Athabascan Old-Time Fiddling Festival, also held in Fairbanks (since 1983) is described "a testament to the far-reaching appeal of traditional music" in the Country Music Lover's Guide to the U.S.A.; the festival features Athabascan and Inuit fiddlers.[1]
[edit] Classical
The most prominent symphony in Alaska is the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. The Juneau Symphony is another notable institution which was founded in 1962.
Alaska also is home to a notable chamber music festival in the Sitka Summer Music Festival which attracts chamber musicians from around the globe.
[edit] Opera
The Anchorage Opera is currently the state's only professional opera company, however there are several volunteer and semi-professional organizations in the state as well. The Juneau Lyric Opera, a volunteer company, was founded in 1974 and presents concerts, choral workshops, and fully-staged opera in Juneau and Southeast Alaska.
[edit] References
- Byron, Janet (1996). Country Music Lover's Guide to the U.S.A., 1st ed., New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-14300-1.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Byron, pg. 13
[edit] External links
- Presentation on traditional dance among the Aluutiq
- Eskimo Music
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State of Alaska Juneau (capital) |
|---|---|
| Regions |
Aleutian Islands | Arctic Alaska | Bush Alaska | Interior | Kenai Peninsula | Mat‑Su Valley | North Slope | Panhandle | Seward Peninsula | Southcentral | Southwest | Tanana Valley | Yukon‑Kuskokwim Delta |
| Largest cities |
Anchorage | Barrow | Bethel | Fairbanks | Homer | Juneau | Kenai | Ketchikan | Kodiak | Kotzebue | Nome | Palmer | Petersburg | Seward | Sitka | Unalaska | Valdez | Wasilla |
| Boroughs |
Aleutians East | Anchorage | Bristol Bay | Denali | Fairbanks North Star | Haines | Juneau | Kenai Peninsula | Ketchikan Gateway | Kodiak Island | Lake and Peninsula | Matanuska‑Susitna | North Slope | Northwest Arctic | Sitka | Yakutat |
| Census areas |
Aleutians West | Bethel | Dillingham | Nome | Prince of Wales‑Outer Ketchikan | Skagway‑Hoonah‑Angoon | Southeast Fairbanks | Valdez‑Cordova | Wade Hampton | Wrangell‑Petersburg | Yukon‑Koyukuk | (see also) Unorganized Borough |
