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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.

2023 Events at Mount Vernon

Library 10th Anniversary Gala

September 30, 2023: As part of the celebrations surrounding the Washington Library's 10th anniversary, Dr. David Hildebrand will give a special performance in the mansion using a reproduction of Nelly Custis's harpischord. 

NSO at Mount Vernon

Dr. David Hildebrand will be lecturing at Mount Vernon in early 2023 as part of the National Symphony Orchestra and Mount Vernon series on the following dates:

January 31, 2023: Nelly's Harpsichord and other Instruments at Mount Vernon

February 28, 2023: Gen. Washington and Military Music

March 28: Mount Vernon: Music in the Domestic Setting

Click here to purchase tickets and for more information.

George Washington Teacher Institute

David and Ginger will be teaching sessions at two George Washington Teacher Institute programs in summer 2023. Use the links below to learn more and apply:

Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century
6/15/2023 - 6:45-7:45 pm
Music of Martha Washington’s Time

The Great Experiment: George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government
6/21/2023 - 6:30-7:30 pm
Music of the Presidency

Other 2023 Events

September 2-3: Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival, Serenity Farm, Benedict MD. Performance times TBA.

July 27: The Jefferson Educational Society, Erie, Pennsylvania.  "Music of the American Revolution." 7 pm 

May 25: Southern Maryland National Heritage Area: Launch and Celebration Program.  11am to 12 noon, 1 to 3 pm.  Piscataway Park (National Colonial Farm), Accokeek, MD.

April 16: David and Ginger will be performing at the Culpepper Baptist Church at 4pm as part of the Culpepper Concert Series. 

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