Winners Announced for the Music and the American Revolution Competition
Jared Herr, jherr@battlefields.org
(Washington, D.C.) — The American Battlefield Trust is excited to announce winners of the Music and the American Revolution Competition. The contest, sponsored by the Trust and the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation, called on high school and college-age musicians, as well as independent artists under the age of 30, to craft a song that showcased not only their creativity, but also captured the vibrant-yet-complex nature of the era that molded a bold, new nation.
“The creativity and historical reverence of our nation’s young people continues to be inspiring,” said Trust President David Duncan. “These beautiful works of art have provided a deeply meaningful way to connect to listeners of today with the Revolution and honor the bravery and sacrifice of our forefathers.”
Dozens of talented artists submitted moving and original pieces of music, encapsulating the spirit of the American Revolution. In the end, a panel of judges including musicians Trace Adkins and Tommy Skeoch, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Music Collection Curator Bret Werb and others, selected one piece from each category to receive a $3,500 cash prize:
- High School Category
“Overture to the American Vision” by Jonathan Melton
- College/University Category
“How Happy the Soldier” by Tess Rowan
- Independent Musicians Category
“Black Powder Through Meadow Green” by Nathaniel C.G. Harder
“It's a profound privilege for me to be a small part of ushering in our country's 250th anniversary,” added contest winner Nathaniel C.G. Harder. “As an American citizen, I feel tremendous pride in being able to contribute to my country's musical culture through my work and am so genuinely honored to be given such a generous and meaningful award.”
The American Revolution Competition is just one way the Trust is commemorating the War’s 250th anniversary. The Trust recently transferred 25 acres of hallowed ground to the National Park Service on the Saratoga Battlefield, unveiled innovative new interpretive signage on the Princeton Battlefield, launched augmented reality recreations of period fortifications in downtown Charleston, debuted the immersive animated map of the Battle of Brandywine and continues work on preserving 2,500 acres of Revolutionary War battlefield for the 250th anniversary.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 58,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
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