Hear the Revolution: 250th-Anniversary Performance with David & Ginger Hildebrand in Newport

Washington Square in Newport, Rhode Island, becomes a living music room when "Music of the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary" with David & Ginger Hildebrand arrives. This program—staged in the heart of Newport's colonial district—offers a close-up of 18th-century sound: hammered dulcimer, violin, Spanish and English guitars, and the ballads, marches, theater songs and concert pieces that moved soldiers and townspeople alike. The Hildebrands perform in period attire and narrate context, turning each tune into a small history lesson. The event is rooted in a specific time and place. Newport, once a bustling colonial port, celebrates both the national 250th anniversary of the War for Independence and Rhode Island Independence Day through repertoire drawn from original 18th-century sources. Hearing a march that might have accompanied a civic procession or a homespun ballad that circulated in taverns clarifies how music threaded public and private life in early America. Those instruments—particularly the hammered dulcimer and English guitar—are rare in modern concerts and give the sound an immediately recognizable historic grain. For visitors who came for the harbor walks, cliffside views and sailing that define Newport’s outdoor draws, this program adds cultural depth to a day of shoreline exploration. It’s a compact evening of learning and listening that pairs well with a pre-performance stroll through Washington Square or dinner at a nearby restaurant. The Hildebrands’ decades of research at museums and historic sites—including work for high-profile institutions—means the program balances entertainment with scholarly accuracy: they explain construction and use of each instrument, point out stylistic differences among pieces, and place songs within the social life of the 1700s. Practical details matter: tickets are listed by category—non-member, member, military, and student—and the experience is designed to be accessible to general audiences rather than music specialists. Expect a one- to two-hour performance with spoken introduction and instrument demonstrations. The setting encourages attentive listening, so late arrival can be disruptive; seating and capacity may vary by venue. Audience members who value history, live acoustic music, and the unexpected intimacy of period performance will find this event uniquely rewarding in Newport. It’s a chance to hear the sounds that shaped public feeling at the birth of the United States, performed by two of the country’s leading interpreters of early American music. Practical ways to make the most of the evening include arriving early to explore Washington Square’s colonial facades, bringing a light layer for coastal breezes, checking program notes for instrument demos, and pairing the concert with a harbor walk, allowing time to savor the period songs outdoors afterward when the square quiets and the music hangs on the night air. Bring a small camera or notebook to capture details, but avoid flash photography during live performance.