Revolutionary War drum
The Music and the American Revolution Competition
The American Battlefield Trust and the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation challenged young musicians to unleash their creativity and forge powerful connections between the past and present.
The Winners
We’re pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Music and the American Revolution Competition!
Charged with crafting a musical composition that showcased both their creativity and the vibrant, complex nature of the period that shaped America, these young musicians crafted a melody that resonates between generations and connects us with our revolutionary past.
Congratulations to our winners in our three categories: “Black Powder Through Meadow Green” by Nathaniel C.G. Harder for the Independent Musicians Category, “How Happy the Soldier” by Tess Rowan for the College/University Students Category and “Overture to the American Vision” by Jonathan Melton for the High School Students Category. Listen to their excellent submissions below:
Many thanks to all of the talented musicians who submitted an entry and congratulations again to all of our winners!
We’re also excited to share that next year's content will expand to include songs inspired by the entire first century of American history! Look for details of the Music & the American Experience Competition here later this year.
COMPETITION RESOURCES
The Challenge
Our challenge to you was simple and exciting: We asked young musicians to create songs that bridge generations, capturing the vibrant spirit of the many voices of the American Revolution. Participants competed for the attention of music industry professionals and the chance to win one of our $3,500 prizes.
We invited artists to craft melodies that resonate today while connecting us to the nation’s founding generation—men and women, Black and white, native-born and immigrant alike. Whether through songs of hope, yearning, unrealized opportunities, or fresh perspectives, we sought music that illuminates the past and inspires a brighter future.
Musicians could reinterpret a song from the Revolutionary era (1760-1788) with a modern twist or compose an entirely new piece that connects us to that time. We encouraged creativity in all musical genres—contemporary, rock, hip-hop, electronic, country, or traditional arrangements.
Open to high school and college-age musicians, as well as independent artists under the age of 30, this competition provided a platform to reimagine history through fresh, new sounds. Our goal was to hear the past while singing for the future, breathing new life into stories that often feel distant and irrelevant.
Stay tuned for future opportunities to participate as we expand the competition to American's first 100 years in 2025 and help us continue to bridge the past and present through music!
Partners & Judges
Our Partners in Creativity
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation for their generous support of the Music and the American Revolution Competition. Ray Conniff, a Grammy-winning musician with a career spanning 65 years and over 100 studio albums, revolutionized music with his unique sound. Best known for his work as The Ray Conniff Orchestra and Singers, Ray Conniff was one of America’s most commercially successful musical icons.
His legacy lives on through the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation, which continues to support music and education worldwide. Their commitment helps us offer young musicians a platform to explore and reimagine the history of the American Revolution.
Special Thanks
Many thanks to the following organizations for preserving and making available resources available: The Library of Congress, Boston Athenaeum, Massachusetts Historical Society and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Our Esteemed Judges
We also want to express our deep appreciation to our distinguished panel of judges, whose expertise and passion for music will guide the selection process. Please meet our competition judges:
Country music singer & actor
Associate Director, Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri
Partner and CEO, Amplified Music Rights
Musician, formerly of Tesla
Music Collection Curator, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
