Music for Lafayette: A Bicentennial Concert
In 1824, Marquis de Lafayette, the French nobleman and military officer who volunteered to join George Washington's Continental Army to fight for American freedom in the Revolutionary War, embarked upon a 13-month journey that covered 6,000 miles across 24 states that stretched into 1825 for what is known as "Lafayette's Farewell Tour." Copious physical evidence of Lafayette's tour survives – including the music. Come celebrate the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette's grand U.S. tour with renowned music historians David and Ginger Hildebrand, who will don period attire, for a concert of special period songs, dance tunes, and marches arranged from historical sources.
Americans were thrilled to celebrate both Lafayette and Geore Washington on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, and the Hildebrands bring that spirit alive upon the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's tour.
American music of the 1770s through 1820s thus served to express citizens' thoughts and hopes within the current musical styles. The Hildebrands will explain and demonstrate their instruments, including the harpsichord, 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.
Some of the selections involve newly composed music and lyrics, while others are parodies; that is, new lyrics set to old familiar tunes. "Auld Lang Syne," "Yankee Doodle," and that of our national anthem were common melodic choices. Being freshly written, these Lafayette lyrics are forcefully positive, idealistic, and heartily celebratory. How wonderfully Lafayette must have basked in such musical glory, and how wonderfully it is to celebrate it today!
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 29, 7-8:30PM
Admission: FREE
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David and Ginger Hildebrand 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. 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.
