Photo Credit: Tanya Lyons
Enjoy a warm beverage and local traditions while listening to musicians and music historians David and Ginger Hildebrand in a special holiday concert on Friday, December 23, 2016, 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road. The Hildebrands will don period attire to perform Old World carols and wassailing songs as well as American patriotic songs, ballads, dance tunes, and theater songs enjoyed by Annapolitans some 250 years ago. They will put you in the holiday spirit while explaining and demonstrating period instruments, such as harpsichord and hammered dulcimer, and interpreting various musical traditions—including some that are still part of local holiday celebrations. Bring family and friends to hear both the formal and less refined aspects of music associated with wintertime in early Maryland. The ticketed event, $15 at the door, is part of the church’s monthly concert series on Fourth Fridays. For information, visit www.tinyurl.com/UUCA-concerts or call 410-266-8044 Monday–Thursday.
David and Ginger Hildebrand specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country for museums, historical societies, schools, and universities. Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their past sponsors.
Two of the Hildebrands’ seven CD recordings focus on early Maryland. Their latest release marks the 200th anniversary of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which also has Maryland connections, through lyrics written by St. John’s College graduate Francis Scott Key. The Hildebrands have also 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. In 1999, along with dance historians Kate van Winkle and Robert Keller, they founded The Colonial Music Institute (www.colonialmusic.org).
Ginger Hildebrand holds an M.M. from the Peabody Conservatory; David has an M.A. from George Washington University and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. David consults and lectures widely and teaches American music history at Peabody. His forthcoming book on music in Maryland will be published by Johns Hopkins University Press in the spring 2017. Ginger teaches privately and at Key School and Severn School. She also performs with Trio Galilei and for five years gave volunteer concerts for wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital.
The December 23 performance is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road. Tickets are $15 at the door. The next concert in the monthly series will feature pianist Brian Ganz in solo performance on Sunday, January 15, at 3 p.m., an exception to the usual Fourth Friday schedule. Brian, considered a leading pianist of his generation, presents a Chopin program which is a preview of his Strathmore concert. For more information on UUCA concerts, visit www.tinyurl.com/UUCA-concerts or call 410-266-8044 Monday–Thursday.
