

Ampersand’s special concert program honors the 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, and features songs and tunes of the new nation, particularly those written by contemporaries at the time. We dress in non-modern clothes and share the stories behind the songs we’ve chosen. These one-hour programs, “Music of the New Nation,” are lively and interactive, celebrating colonial music from 1730-1830.
Concert
The concert includes songs about the stirrings of revolution, the experiences of colonists in different walks of life, songs from soldiers on both sides of the conflict, a tune written by an enslaved person, and protest songs written at the time. The Ampersand trio brings guitar, mandolin, cello, penny whistles, hammered dulcimer, and rich vocal harmonies to underscore great joy in sharing this music with a modern audience. This group brings a wealth of training in music history and American history to bear as they explore the music of the new nation and share their strategies in finding and choosing music offerings.
For bookings and more information, please contact Beth@ampersandmusic.org
Press Kit
Please click here for our press materials and gallery of photos.
Album – Music of the New Nation (Released June 2026)
Ampersand250 Schedule
- Fri, Feb 20, 2026 – Free Community Concert, St. Paul’s, 220 S. Morris St., Oxford, MD – 7pm
- Sun, Feb 22, 2026 – George Washington’s Birthday, Mount Vernon (VA) – 1:15pm
- MARCH
- Sat, March 7, 2026 – Historic Christ Church (Stevensville, MD) – 3pm
- APRIL
- Weds, April 1, 2026 – Calvin B. Taylor House Museum (Berlin, MD) – 11am
- Weds, April 1, 2026 – Ocean Pines Library (Maryland) – 2pm
- Weds, April 1, 2026 – Poplar Hill Mansion (Salisbury, MD) – 5:30pm
- Sat, April 11, 2026 – Groome Performing Arts Series (Lewes, DE) – 7pm
- Fri, April 17, 2026 – Talbot Historical Society (Easton, MD) – 1pm
- MAY
- Fri, May 1, 2026 – Dover Days (Delaware) – 5:30pm
- Sat, May 2, 2026 – Family Day at Marietta Museum (Glenn Dale, MD) – 1pm
- Sat, May 16, 2026 – Federalsburg (MD) Historical Society – 2pm
- Sat, May 23, 2026 – Chestertown Tea Party Festival, Chestertown, MD – 1pm
- Sat, May 30, 2026 – Prince George’s Co. 250th Block Party, Bowie, MD – 1pm
- JUNE
- Sunday, June 7, 2026 – Lee Resolution, Stratford Hall (Virginia) – 1pm and 3pm
- Sunday, June 14, 2026 – Dover Public Library (Dover, DE) – 2pm
- Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Laurel Public Library (Laurel, DE) – 5:30pm
- Tuesday, June 23, 2026 – Bayleigh Chase Retirement Community (Easton, MD) – 7pm
- Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Meredith House, Dorchester Historical Society (MD) 11am and 1:30pm
- JULY
- Thurs, July 2, 2026 – Lancaster (VA) Historical Society – 7pm
- Fri, July 3, 2026 – George Washington Birthplace National Monument – 1pm and 2:30pm
- AUGUST
- Sunday, Aug 2, 2026 – Kendal at Ithaca (NY) – 1pm
- Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 – Saratoga National Historic Park – Saratoga, NY – 12noon
- Thursday, Aug 6, 2026 – Langdon House, Portsmouth, NH – 7pm
- Friday, Aug 7, 2026 – Knox Museum, Thomaston, ME – 7pm
- Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 – Harrington (DE) Heritage Day – CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
- Sunday, Aug 23, 2026 – Wicomico Presbyterian Church (Salisbury, MD) – 3pm
- Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 – Handsell, Vienna, MD – 11am and 2pm
- SEPTEMBER
- Friday, September 4, 2026 – Stoltz Listening Room (Easton, MD) – 7:00pm
- Friday, September 18, 2026 – Caroline County (MD) Historical Society – Caroline Co. Public Library – 6pm
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Rodgers Tavern Museum, Perryville, MD – 12noon and 2pm
- OCTOBER
- Friday, October 2, 2026 – Charlotte (NC) Museum of History – 6pm
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 – Spartanburg (SC) Historical Society “Festifall” – 11am and 1:30pm
- Sunday, October 4, 2026 – Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, NC – 1pm
- Friday, October 9, 2026 – Ker Place, Shore History, Onancock, VA – 6pm
- NOVEMBER
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Londonderry on the Tred Avon, Easton, MD – 3:30pm
- Sat, Nov 14, 2026 – Swett-Ilsely House, Newbury, MA – 2pm
- Sun, Nov 15, 2026 – Eustis Estate, Milton, MA – 4pm
- DECEMBER
- Sat, Dec 19th, 2026 – Valley Forge National Historic Park – 11am

