Music of the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary

Historic Rock Ford welcomes David and Ginger Hildebrand as they present a concert entitled “Music of the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary.” The Hildebrands will don period attire to perform patriotic songs, ballads, dance tunes and theater songs known by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others. They will explain and demonstrate their instruments, including the hammered dulcimer, violin, and Spanish and English guitars — interpreting various musical traditions, featuring both the formal and less refined aspects of music in early America.

David and Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980, the Hildebrands have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors. The Hildebrands have produced seven CD recordings. In addition to appearances on C-SPAN television, BBC radio, NPR and “History Detectives,” they have provided soundtrack materials and served as period music consultants for PBS broadcasts, including the series Liberty!–the American Revolution, and one-hour specials Jefferson: A View from the Mountain, Re-discovering George Washington, and Anthem: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner. In 1999, along with dance historians Kate van Winkle and Robert Keller, they co-founded The Colonial Music Institute, now directed by the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

The performance will be held on the piazza of the Hand Mansion with seating on the lawn. The performance area will open 45 minutes prior to the concert time. Seating is on a first-come basis. Guests should bring their own chairs (blankets are not recommended so that everyone may have a good view of the piazza). In the event of rain, this event will be held under the tent by the Rock Ford Barn.