For many, Wyoming evokes images of wide-open plains, cowboys, and historic saloons. But for those who call it home, the state represents something more personal—a connection to history, culture, and community, Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.
The Cheyenne Chamber Singers aim to capture that sentiment with their upcoming spring fundraising concert, Homestead.
Directed by Sean Ambrose, Homestead is a celebration of Wyoming’s past and present, weaving together traditional cowboy and folk songs with themes of Western expansion, nostalgia, and the essence of home. The concert features familiar classics like Home on the Range and a John Denver medley, along with pieces from Wyoming composers.
“It’s about home, it’s about this state where some of us have been for generations and other people look at it as sort of the Wild West,” Ambrose said.
The idea for a Western-themed performance came from Bob and Charla Nelson, owners of the Nelson Museum of the West and Manitou Galleries. Ambrose, a third-generation Wyomingite, embraced the suggestion, believing it was a fitting addition to the choir’s repertoire.
While the concert highlights Western culture, Homestead is not solely about cowboys. Songs reflecting Wyoming’s history, the Gold Rush era, and railroad expansion add depth to the program.
One particularly unique piece is a song composed in the late 1980s by a former University of Wyoming music department chair. Submitted for Wyoming’s centennial state song competition in 1990, it ultimately wasn’t chosen but remains a beautiful tribute to the state’s landscapes and people.
“It wasn’t the one that was chosen, but it’s a really gorgeous setting, describing the landscape and the animals and the mountains and the people,” Ambrose said.
While the concert is rooted in Wyoming’s identity, its themes of nostalgia and belonging are universal.
“This is broader than just Wyoming,” Ambrose added. “A lot of these songs are reminiscent of anybody’s ‘going home.'”
Homestead is a fundraising event with two performances:
- Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. – Pine Bluffs Historic Gym ($20 per ticket), featuring light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. – Kiwanis Community House ($50 per ticket), offering food from The Boardroom, wine and beer from Vinos and The Office, and an auction.
“The community has put together a great auction,” Ambrose said. “I don’t even know what all is on it, but I know that they’ve done a pretty good job putting it together.”
With an evening of well-loved music, local history, and community spirit, Ambrose hopes attendees will find at least one song that resonates deeply with their own sense of home.
Tickets are available at cheyennechambersingers.com/concert.
