Music in the Westward Expansion

<p> Over 400000 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.</p><p> 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. </p>