David & Ginger Hildebrand
About David and Ginger
David and Ginger are professional performers, teachers, and recording artists. They specialize in early American music, having co-founded and for more than 20 years directed the Colonial Music Institute, which is now under the auspices of George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Their soundtrack work includes the PBS film Rediscovering George Washington, and Anthem- The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner. Among their 7 CD recordings are Over the Hills and Far Away, Being a Collection of Music from 18th-Century Annapolis and George Washington: Music of the First President.
Ginger holds an M.M. in guitar performance from the Peabody Conservatory; David's M.A. and Ph.D., both in musicology, are from George Washington University and Catholic University. Ginger teaches privately at the Key School and Severn School, and David is on the faculty at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. In 2017 David co-author of Musical Maryland: A History of Song and Performance from the Colonial Period to the Age of Radio.
At the present point of the COVID-19 pandemic the Hildebrands have resumed limited, controlled public performing, lecturing and school programming. Please use the contact information provided on this page to inquire about our offerings and check back to this website as our schedule fills.
2024 Mount Vernon Events
STEAM Teacher Workshop - Music of the 18th Century
21 Feb - 5:30pm
Join Education staff and K-12 teachers from across the DMV to explore the many connections between STEAM and the history of George Washington’s Mount Vernon through 18th century musical performances and a closer look at colonial instruments.
George Washington Teacher Institute
David and Ginger will be teaching sessions at three George Washington Teacher Institute programs in summer 2024. All programs are by advance registration:
The Great Experiment: George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government
12 June - 7:00pm
Music of the Presidency
George Washington at War: From Solider to Commander in Chief
26 June - 6:30pm
Music of the American Revolution
David only
The Worlds of Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century
1 Aug - 6:30pm
Music of Martha Washington's Time
Society for Historians of the Early American Republic Annual Meeting
19 July, 4:15-6
David Hildebrand will appear as part of a roundtable alongside Mount Vernon Center for Digital History Manager Dr. Alexandra Montgomery, Dr. Nora Slonimsky and Dr. Adam Rosado from Iona University in New Rochelle, and several scholars of Early American Music for a roundtable discussion on "Composing the Early Republic: Music and Community-Making in Early America and Today.” Among other topics, the roundtable will discuss the work the CMI and collaborations with the students and staff of Iona.
Other 2024 Events
March 7: Clifton, VA - St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School "Music of Colonial Virginia" (at 9 and 10 am, not open to the general public, solo David)
March 10: Clifton, VA - St. Andrew the Apostle Church "Music of Early America" 4 pm
March 16: Annapolis, MD - "Poets and Musicians" - Ginger with Carolyn Surrick, V.P. Loggins and Stewart Moss
March 17: Bethesda, MD - "Poets and Musicians" - Ginger with Carolyn Surrick, V.P. Loggins and Stewart Moss
April 6: Piney Point, MD – “Rebels & Redcoats” (American Revolution 250th event) at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum (performance times TBA)
April 13: Washington, DC – at Army/Navy Club (private)
April 22: Annapolis, MD - The Key School - "Music of Colonial Annapolis" (not open to the public)
May 19: Crownsville, MD – Trio Galileii House Concert (Ginger & Carolyn Surrick)
June 11: Washington, DC - Anderson House - The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati "Music for the Lafayette 200" 6:30pm
July 23: Erie, PA - The Jefferson Educational Society of Erie - "Music of the American Revolution - a 250th Anniversary Concert" 6 pm.
August 31 & September 1: Benedict, MD “Sunflower Festival” at (performance times tba)
Sept 14: Henricus Historical Park, Chesterfield VA – Celebrating the 275th anniversary of Chesterfield County, Virginia - "Music of Colonial Virginia" (sets at 11:15 am and 2 pm)
Nov 12: Virtual - Lecture, "Lafayette's Musical Reception: Annapolis, 1824," sponsored by Historic Annapolis
Nov 13: Washington, DC - La Maison Française, Reception for Music for La Fayette: 200th; 7:00 pm.
Nov 14: Charlottesville, VA – The Rotunda, University of Virginia, Celebrating the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s Visit; 7 pm
Dec. 14: Annapolis, MD – Chesapeake Children’s Museum, special programs for young people in celebration of the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s Visit; 2 and 3 pm
Dec. 15: Annapolis, MD - Old House of Delegates Chambers of the Maryland State House - "Music for the Lafayette 200" - 2:30 pm (open to the public, but seats are limited)
2025 Events
Feb. 25: Washington, DC - La Maison Française, Music for La Fayette: a Bicentennial Concert; 7:30 pm.
April 27: Havre de Grace, MD - Music for La Fayette: a Bicentennial Concert; time TBA
May 29: Ft. Ligonier, PA - Music for La Fayette: a Bicentennial Concert; time TBA
June 1: Culpepper, VA – Culpepper Baptist Church, Music for La Fayette: a Bicentennial Concert; 4 pm
Oct. 10: Virtual - Lecture, "The First First Ladies’ Musical Worlds," sponsored by the National First Ladies Library & Museum
