The beauty of music is its ability to transcend space and time, and most places you travel offer live music in one form or another. This is certainly true of North Dakota, where vacationers will be pleased to find several symphony orchestras, a variety of music venues, and an abundance of music festivals.
Official Music of North Dakota
While every state has a state song, North Dakota is unique because it also has an official state march as well.
State Song
North Dakota's state song, The North Dakota Hymn, was written by poet James Foley in 1926. Dr. C.S. Putnam, conductor of the North Dakota Agricultural College Band, put the lyrics to the music of the The Austrian Hymn. The song debuted in 1927 at the Bismarck City Auditorium, and was officially adopted by the legislature as the state song on March 15, 1947.
State March
Along with the official state song, North Dakota officials wanted a song to play during state functions, like inaugurations and speeches. Legislature chose the song Spirit by the Land, written by James D. Ployhar. Ployhar was a graduate of Valley City State University and founder of the Fargo Big Band All Stars. As an active member of the North Dakota music scene, Ployhar's march was an obvious choice. In 1975, Spirit of the Land became the official state march; in 1989, the name of the song was changed to Flickertail March due to copyright issues.
Live Music
North Dakota offers an assortment of live music options. Across the state, there are numerous venues, events, and musical organizations available.
Musical Institutions
If you enjoy classical music, you'll certainly want to attend a concert by one of the state's symphony orchestras. Not only is it a great way to support the local performing arts community, but attending a classical music performance is a wonderful way to spend an elegant evening out. Small towns across the state have their own classical music events, with longstanding symphony orchestras like the Bismarck-Mandan, Fargo-Moorhead, Greater Grand Forks, and Minot.
Venues
From coffee houses with open mic nights to amphitheaters that host international touring acts, North Dakota's music venues run the gamut. Regardless of where you stay, you're certain to find a club or concert hall with live music performances. Venues such as the Alerus Center and the Empire Arts Center, both in Grand Forks, offer everything from festival music events to regional touring acts. Meanwhile, places with stadium seating, like the Fargo Dome and the Bismarck Civic Center, host touring music acts that draw larger crowds. Specialty venues also exist, such as The AMP in Minot, which is a youth center that hosts weekend concert events for young adults.
If you're itching to get out and explore North Dakota's local live music scene, check your area's local paper, and even phone book, for venue listings.
Festivals
Some of North Dakota's largest music events are festivals. Festivals tend to focus on one genre, so perhaps the best way to ensure you hear the type of music you love – with a North Dakota twist – is by attending one of the state's many festivals.
If you're interested in rock music, North Dakota's most popular festival event is Rockin' the Hills in Bottineau. Upwards of 20 bands from the 1970s and 1980s perform at this weekend-long event.
While most agriculturally-based states have heavy country music followings, North Dakota breaks from the norm because country music isn't as popular as other genres of music. That doesn't mean that country music doesn't have a following, though. One festival in particular, the International Country Gospel Music Festival in Dunseith, enjoys a good time of country music mixed with gospel praise.
To celebrate the immigrant heritage of North Dakota, check out the Celtic Festival in Fargo. If you're traveling with children or simply want to get in touch with your inner child, you may want to visit the Folk Songs and Fairy Tails Spring Concert in Bismarck. And if you still haven't had your fill of folk music, you'll definitely want to attend the Old Time Fiddler's Contest in Dunseith.
Band geek at heart? The Band Night Parade in Bismarck, or the Williston Band Day Festival are most definitely events worth checking out.
If you love all types of music, or are interested in hearing something new, there are a number of festivals that host a variety of acts, such as the Concert at the Confluence in Williston, or the Bandshell Concerts in Dickinson.
These are just a handful of North Dakota's music festivals. Visitors should check their local listings for other events.
More Music
International Music Camp
If your trip to North Dakota is going to be an extended one, you may want to look into various musical education opportunities. North Dakota's most well-known music camp is the International Music Camp in Dunseith. Week-long camp sessions are available for both children and adults, featuring classes such as band music, jazz, garage band, orchestra, voice, and individual instrument lessons.
There are many opportunities available throughout North Dakota that allow vacationers to experience the sounds of the state, whether it be attending the symphony orchestra or listening to a performance by a local rock band playing at a club. Whatever type of music you enjoy, you're almost sure to find it in North Dakota.
North Dakotan's arts scene has something for everyone.
