Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert for America250

Music of the American Revolution: The 250th for Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert. Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music.
Title:Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert for America250
Date & Time:Thursday, June 18, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
Location:Lyceum
201 S. Washington St.
Event Details:Music of the American Revolution: The 250th for Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert

Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caan, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign.

The American war effort was expressed through patriotic songs, ballads, and dance tunes which connect us to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others. The Hildebrands will explain and demonstrate their instruments, including the harpsichord, hammered dulcimer, violin, and Spanish & English guitars -- interpreting various musical traditions, featuring both the formal and less refined aspects of music in early America.

David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they 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.

In addition to producing seven CD recordings, the Hildebrands have appeared on C-SPAN television, BBC radio, NPR and "History Detectives," and 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 (www.colonialmusic.org), since bequeathed to and now directed by the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

Ginger holds an M.M. from the Peabody Conservatory; David's M.A. is from George Washington University and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. She teaches privately and at the Severn School, performing also with Trio Galilei - a group which for eight years gave volunteer concerts for wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital. David consults and lectures widely, and he teaches American Music history at The Peabody Conservatory. His book Musical Maryland: A History of Song and Performance from the Colonial Period to the Age of Radio was published in 2017 by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Links:
Fees:$20
Tags:America250, Concerts, Lyceum, Museums, Old & Historic Alexandria, Old Town, Performing Arts, Sister Cities


For event details visit https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/?62561
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