On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding. The “unalienable rights” set forth by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - represent an audacious and challenging experiment which Americans have been trying to realize since 1776.
Visionary American pianist and scholar Lara Downes examines this founding promise with THE DECLARATION PROJECT - a non-partisan, unbiased initiative created to promote empathy, community and unity. Through a nationwide series of interdisciplinary conversations, workshops & performances, Americans in communities nationwide explore and express personal interpretations of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling collective future.
DECLARATION will premiere as a live concert performance at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in July 2026.
As part of NPR’s AMERICA IN PURSUIT national audio series, Lara brings The Declaration Project to communities across the country for musical conversations with world-renowned historians, authors, and scholars whose unique perspectives and knowledge of our nation’s history trace our American dreams through the past 250 years, imagining the next chapter of our national story.
Jill Lepore
THE FIRST SONG: Lara and Jill Lepore explore the song “My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free” written in 1759 by founding father Francis Hopkinson, reflecting the origins of American independence.
Bryan Stevenson
DEEP RIVER: Bryan Stevenson joins Lara to reflect on the traditional American Spiritual “Deep River”, the expression of resilience and faith, and the history of our long fight for freedom and justice.
Heather Cox Richardson
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: Lara and Heather Cox Richardson consider and discuss the “fight songs” that have spoken out and stood up during the most perilous moments of America’s history.
John McWhorter
GET HAPPY: Lara and John McWorter discuss the role of American music as a joyful noise, even in the hardest times - the songs that have chased our cares away even in times of hardship, crisis and wartime, to remind us that “the sun will come up tomorrow!”
Tressie McMillan Cottom
FREIGHT TRAIN: Lara hosts Tressie McMillan Cottom to reflect on Elizabeth Cotten’s iconic song “Freight Train,” the sounds of home, and the rhythms of migration.
Adam Gopnik
THE MUSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE OF AMERICA: Adam Gopnik joins Lara in a conversation about Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and the musical expression of American patriotism by immigrants to our country.
Imani Perry
AMAZING GRACE: Lara talks with Imani Perry about the presence and power of grace, the possibility of redemption, and the necessity of forgiveness and empathy in the American past and present.
Salamishah Tillett
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO BE FREE: Lara talks with Salamishah Tillett about Nina Simone’s iconic Civil Rights-era anthem, and music as the soundtrack of our long fight for freedom.
Nate Chinen
NEW WORLD A-COMIN’: Lara hosts Nate Chinen for a deep dive into the music and legacy of Duke Ellington, and his belief that both American music and people should exist “beyond category.”