Music of Alaska

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Music of the United States
AK - AL - AR - AS - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DC - DE - FL - GA - GU - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MP - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NM - NV - NJ - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - PR - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VI - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY

The Music of Alaska is a broad artistic field incorporating many cultures.

1 History and overview
2 State song
3 Music festivals and ensembles
4 References
5 Notes
6 External links

[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 a prominent metal and rock scene. Metalcore band 36 Crazyfists originated in Alaska, as did indie rock band Portugal. The Man.
Anchorage has been able to see more of Alaska native, Melissa Mitchell, recently after returning from a stint in California where she has been doing work with the Arts in Arts in Corrections program in Folsom Prison that included a live concert with Michael Franti on November 23, 2005. Other local artists that have been involved with the program are Corinna Delgado, Shawn Zuke and Buddy Tabor.

[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 Folk Fest annual "Fairbanks Summer and Winter Music Fests 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] Rock

The Anchorage D.I.Y. community organizes several festival shows each summer, usually at Cuddy Family Park's small amphitheater. The festivals typically feature performances by local punk, rock, and metal bands, although groups specializing in other genres such as rockabilly and noise have also made appearances. The shows are loosely organized and community driven. Non-musical attractions have included circus acts, auctions, barbecues, and bike sports. Festivals are typically given a unique nickname, rather than sharing a common title (e.g. "Anchorage Festival of Unpopular Music" or "Bunk Rock Picnic").

Anchorage is home to several over 21 and all ages venues including Chilkoot Charlie's, The Downstairs, The Player's House Of Rock, and The Pattleboat Cafe.

The Summer Meltdown festival is an all day, out doors festival in Anchorage featuring mostly local acts in Metal, Rock and occasionally Hip-Hop. The Alaskan band 36 Crazyfists have headlined the festival since its inception in 2005 along with other acts, such as Twelve Tribes and Subconscious, in 2008 36 Crazyfists will not be headlining the festival, insead will be bands Poison the Well and Mxpx, marking the first time 36 Crazyfists has not headlined.

[edit] Clucking Blossom

There have been three Clucking Blossom Festivals held in Fairbanks in May 2005, 2006 and 2007. Though not related to the Angry Young and Poor Festival which was in august 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, many who were involved in Angry Young and Poor became associated with the Clucking Blossom Festival because the scene is tightly knit. One of the ideas that fuels Clucking Blossom is to allow all the bands in Fairbanks to share a stage, combining acoustic music, bluegrass, punk, hip hop, metal and rock bands. This also gave people under 21 a chance to see bands that usually only perform in bars, as Fairbanks has an unfortunate few venues for live music. The event is open to everyone and there are events planned specifically for young children, as well as political presentations, a parade, (loosely) organized discussions and public art of all kinds. Including the musicians and activitsts along with the organizers, over 150 people volunteered to make the 2007 Clucking Blossom at the Birch hill ski area a success.

The following is a non-inclusive list of the artists that have performed at Clucking Blossom: Northern River, El Trio Con Carne, Jesse Hobbs, Isaac and the Awkward Situations, Thom Mcclean, Ground Squirrel Comedy Improv, Sunday Morning, Da Good Daze, Coup De Deux, Hillbilly Mafia, These Doors to Remain Closed During Work Hours, Freight Train to Telekinesis, Caressa, Cold Fusion Dance Troupe, Colorcast, Soul Hole, Gradual Meltdown, Greg Bryce, Clint and the Consequences, Steve Brown, Gangly Moose, Sweating Honey, M Tentacles, Paper Scissors, Veggie Strawberry, the Fairbanks Peace Choir, Moment of Clarity, Mason Little, Slippin Mickies, Nate Montgomery, Arctic Gypsy Swing Band, Type A, Ba'Cuntry Bros, Cold Fusion (band), The Moon Knights, Steph's Infection,Junk Show ,58 Roadsigns, 3 Chord Ho!, Captain Darby O'Bill and his Matees Three, Chaos Mojo Project, The Scurvies, Death n' Texas, Flat Black Fedora, Top Heavy Filthies.