Originally posted from Yellowstone’s In the Shadow of the Arch blog
by Grace Suhadolnik, Library Intern

When most people think of a library, they imagine shelves lined with books, DVDs, CDs, and periodicals. At the Yellowstone Research Library, however, our collection extends beyond the expected—we also house a small but unique collection of sheet music, all inspired by Yellowstone National Park.

This collection spans piano and vocal works to concert band suites and marches. Most of the music is housed in archival boxes in the main stacks, with one additional box in the Rare Book Room and a number of photocopies filed in our vertical files. While modest in size, this collection captures a fascinating slice of Yellowstone’s cultural history.

One highlight from the collection is the piano and vocal score for “Yellowstone” by Gene Quaw. Born in Bozeman, Montana, Quaw was a band leader who performed with his orchestra at the Canyon Hotel during the 1920s and 30s. His concerts featured a mix of classical standards but always closed with his own composition, “Yellowstone.”

The piece became a familiar sound to hotel guests, and copies of the sheet music were even available for purchase at the Canyon Hotel News Stand. Programs from the era document its popularity, offering a glimpse into the soundtrack of a Yellowstone evening nearly a century ago.

At the same time Quaw’s orchestra was entertaining guests, Yellowstone employees were creating their own musical traditions. Grace Johnson and Donald Midgley, both employees at Canyon Lodge, collaborated on a series of songs performed for lodge guests.

Johnson typically wrote both the music and lyrics, while Midgley handled the arrangements. Together, they produced playful and heartfelt pieces such as “Rotten Logging,” “Off to Yellowstone,” and “Love Began in Yellowstone.” Each of these works, written for piano and voice, reflects the experiences and camaraderie of park staff during the 1920s and 30s.

 

 

Beyond music created and performed in the park, Yellowstone has inspired countless composers and musicians nationwide. The Research Library has gathered many of these works, including:

• “Yellowstone Suite” for concert band by John Klein

• “Sunset in the Yellowstone: Reverie,” a piano piece by Henry S. Sawyer

• “Yellowstone Trail March” by Karl King, a prolific American bandmaster

 

 

These pieces demonstrate Yellowstone’s influence as a muse—not just for visitors and employees, but for artists who may never have performed in the park yet felt its grandeur through music.

Curious about what else we have? You can browse our full list of sheet music through the library catalog. All materials are available for in-library use, though items from the Rare Book Collection require advance arrangements.

For more information—or to plan a visit—please contact us at [email protected].