Rodeo is a love story. It tells the story of a young cowgirl who tries to get herself a man. First she tries to impress the head cowhand by showing off her cowboy skills - ridin' and ropin'. But when this doesn't work she shows up at the Saturday night hoe-down in a lovely red dress. That's when he falls for her.
When you listen to Buckaroo Holiday, you can almost picture yourself being at a rodeo. Listen carefully to the music for the two original themes by Copland. First there is a descending scale. Can you hear the cowboys being bounced around and tossed by bucking broncos? Next, when the tempo picks up again, a solo trombone introduces an old cowboy tune. Pay attention to this theme, you will hear it several times.