CONCERTS WITH CONVERSATION
July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, founded on the principle that its citizens would be promised the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Iconoclastic pianist Lara Downes examines each of these three core concepts through the lens of our nation’s past and present with a series of concerts-with-conversation that reflect on the magic and mystery of life, the ongoing quest for freedom and equality, and the radical power of joy.
LIFE
With Special Guests The Ivalas Quartet and Steven Banks
Featuring works-in-progress by Kaufman Center students participating in The Declaration Project
Valerie Coleman: Life (sneak preview)
Ivan Enrique Rodriguez: Tree Of Life
Leonard Bernstein: The Story Of My Life
Ned Rorem: Youth, Day, Old Age and Night
J.S. Bach/I. Friedman: Sleepers Awake
H.T. Burleigh: My Lord, What A Mornin'
Steven Banks: Strength of My Life (with Steven Banks)
Darius Milhaud: La Creation du Monde (with the Ivalas Quartet & Steven Banks)
LIBERTY
With Special Guest Arturo O’Farrill
Featuring works-in-progress by Kaufman Center students participating in The Declaration Project
Arturo O’Farrill: Liberty (sneak preview)
Margaret Bonds: Spiritual Suite
Billy Taylor: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Tania Léon: Momentum
Clarice Assad: A World of Change
Kian Ravaei: Variations on This Land is Your Land
Duke Ellington: New World A-Comin’
Sam Cooke: A Change is Gonna Come
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
with special Guest Theo Bleckmann
Featuring works-in-progress by Kaufman Center students participating in The Declaration Project
Christopher Tin: Pursuit of Happiness (sneak preview)
Franz Schubert: Frühlingsglaube
Gabriel Kahane: Little Love
Robert Schumann: Perfect Happiness
Marc Blitzstein: I Wish It So
Terry Riley: Be Kind to One Another
Charlie Chaplin: Smile
Missy Mazzoli: A Map of Laughter
Robert Nathaniel Dett: The Place Where the Rainbow Ends
Harold Arlen: Over the Rainbow
William Grant Still: Summerland
Leonard Bernstein: Lucky To Be Me
Bob Thiel: What A Wonderful World
