David specializes in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980, often together with his wife Ginger, he has presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.

In addition to producing seven CD recordings, the Hildebrands have appeared on C-SPAN television, BBC radio, NPR and "History Detectives," and they have 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: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner." In 1999 David co-founded The Colonial Music Institute (www.colonialmusic.org), since bequeathed to and now directed by the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

David's M.A. is from George Washington University and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. He consults and lectures widely; he is on the music history faculty at The Peabody Conservatory. His book "Musical Maryland: A History of Song and Performance from the Colonial Period to the Age of Radio" was published in 2017 by Johns Hopkins University Press.

To learn more, visit https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/colonial-music-institute.

Calvert Library strives to make our events accessible to all. For access questions or requests, call 410-535-0291.