Music of Maine

The State of Maine is located in the Northeast region of the United States and is also referred to as one of the New England States. Its musical traditions extend back thousands of years to the music of the First Peoples of Maine, the PenobscotPassamaquoddy,Wabanaki and other related Indigenous cultures.

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.

Neoclassical composer Walter Piston (1894-1976) was born and grew up in Rockland before moving to Boston at age ten.

Maine is home to many talented singers, songwriters, band leaders, and composers. Composers from Maine include Charles Whitney Coombs, John Knowles Paine, Frank Churchill, Aaron Robinson, Claude Demetrius, Peter Garland, Maverick Ashley Lenartson and Harold J. Crosby.

Rudy Vallée grew up in Westbrook. His career started as a saxophone player and singer, later becoming a band leader. He also helped Alice Faye and Frances Langford start their careers and appeared on Broadway for a time. Vallée was a graduate of the University of Maine.

Bill Chinnock was born in New Jersey but settled in Portland, Maine. Some of his early band mates went on to The E Street Band.

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