The Oklahoma History Center hosts Free School Day Programs, The Music of George Washington’s America, October 21st and 22nd

Contact: Jason Harris
(405) 522-0785

Oklahoma City, OK
August 20, 2009
For Immediate Release

The Oklahoma History Center, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, and the George Washington Oklahoma Teaching Ambassador Program invite students to a special program featuring the music of George Washington’s America.

For centuries music has served as a reflection of society, culture, and ideas. Join David Hildebrand, one of our country's top musical historians, on October 21 or 22, 2009 for a lively exploration of music in the colonial, revolutionary, and federal periods. This special musical program will discuss songs of patriotism and revolution; dance and theater, and military exploits that will help you bring history to life for your students and move them beyond the textbooks. It will allow visual, sensory, and auditory learners access to the past in a way that no other medium in teaching can match!

America’s early music will come to life with instruments including the Baroque guitar, English guitar, harpsichord, and English and German flutes. The program highlights both the formal and less refined aspects of music associated with early America and targets students of all ages, especially 4th and 5th graders. Spoken introductions and stories will put the music and instruments into context, while highlighting connections to great people and moments in our nation’s early history.

Dr. Hildebrand has been performing professionally since 1980 with a focus on American music of the Colonial and Federal periods. He currently teaches American music history at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

The program is made possible through a special grant provided by the Kirkpatrick Foundation and is sponsored by the Oklahoma History Center, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, The George Washington Teaching Ambassador Program, Oklahoma A+ Schools, and The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

To arrange a time for your students or for further information Jason Harris at 405-522-0785 or jharris@okhistory.org. You can find more information on this program and others at our website www.okhistorycenter.org.