Scandinavian and Baltic Music

Between 1825 and 1925, approximately 800,000 Norwegians emigrated to the United States, the majority settling in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. Organizations were established for Norwegian immigrants who shared a common rural settlement of origin (bygde) and thus a common language dialect and musical tradition. These organizations had an important role in maintaining Old Country traditions, especially at annual meetings called stevne. Some introduced prizes to promote...