Music of Maine

Maine is a state of the United States, located in a region called New England. Its musical tradition possibly extends back thousands of years to the music of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and other indigenous peoples. Modern musicians from Maine include the bluegrass brothers Roland and Clarence White and the contemporary ragtime performer Glenn Jenks, singer/songwriter Bruce Thulin.

In the colonial era, the talented composer, singer, and compiler of tune books and Maine resident Supply Belcher (1751–1836) was known in his time as "the Handel of Maine." Belcher organized the first choir in Maine.

Music venues and institutions

Major music venues in Maine include Portland's Merrill Auditorium and The State Theater.

The state is home to several prominent country music organizations, including Maine Country Music Association Hall of Fame, Down East Country Musica Association and the Maine Academy of Country Music . Musical institutions include the Maine State Music Theater in Brunswick, which has been in operation since 1959 and is one of Three professional music theaters in the state; the others are Northport Music Theater in Northport which opened in 2007 and Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunguit which opened in 1933.

The oldest continually operated symphony orchestra in the country is the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. The only other professional orchestra is the Portland Symphony Orchestra; Portland is also home to the Portland Choral Arts Society and the Portland String......
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