Pianist Lara Downes believes music can unite people and express America's complex emotions. She shared these ideas during a "Berkeley Talks" event.
Music as a Shared Language
After the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Downes flew to Louisville, Kentucky, for a performance. The city, like the country, felt divided. She played songs from her album America Again, which explored the "American Dream" through various composers.
Downes noticed that the music created a shared space for mourning and hope. It went beyond political divides. She realized that music expresses all American emotions, including affection, nostalgia, confusion, sadness, and anger.
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Start Your News DetoxThis idea still guides Downes' work. In May, she brought musicians to UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall for her project, This Land: Reflections on America. She performed with folk icon Judy Collins, poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball, the bluegrass quartet Invoke, and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. They played songs like "This Little Light Of Mine," Paul Simon’s "America," and Stephen Foster’s "Hard Times Come Again No More."
This Land: Reflections on America.* Image: Brittany Hosea-Small*
Folk icon Judy Collins performs with the bluegrass quartet Invoke. Image: Brittany Hosea-Small
Exploring the American Experience
Downes also created The Declaration Project. This national initiative is for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. For two years, Downes traveled the country. She asked Americans what "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" means to them.
During a pre-concert talk, Downes spoke with NPR’s Chloe Veltman. They discussed how music is a common language for exploring the American experience.
The May 9 performance and talk were part of Cal Performances’ Illuminations: Exile and Sanctuary series. It was the final performance of the season.
Deep Dive & References
- This Land: Reflections on America - Cal Performances
- The Declaration Project - Lara Downes
- Illuminations: Exile and Sanctuary - Cal Performances
