Charles Ives 150th Birthday Celebration

The Danbury Museum and The Danbury Music Centre have created a multi-day celebration focused on honoring Charles Ives on the occasion of his 150th birthday, this October 20th, 2024.

Charles Ives, born in Danbury, CT, on October 20, 1874, was influenced by the sights and sounds of Main Street and the surrounding countryside. He used the inspiring blend of hat factory sounds, multilingual peoples, city life and country life, and created internationally renowned compositions that have inspired the American and international musical community for more than 100 years. Ives Week celebrations—all of them free of charge— honor his life, his work, his family, and his legacy. The diverse artists we have performing are interpreting the Ives cannon for the 21st century. 

From October 16 through the 20th, there are free walking tours, guided tours of the Charles Ives Birthplace Museum, a graveside gathering, and three very special local, national, and international musical performances. On Friday, October 18, 7pm at Ives Concert Hall, Ives's Complete Violin Sonatas will be performed by William Harvey, violinist and concertmaster of Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, and accompanied by renowned pianist Frederic Chiu. 

Sunday, October 20, the 150th anniversary of Ives’s birth, features a 3pm performance by the Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Ives Concert Hall, followed by the grand finale of our celebration, Louise Bessette, Canadian pianist and Latitude 45 recording artist, playing Ives Piano Sonata No. 2 at a 6pm concert. 

Full schedule and artist bios available at CharlesIves150.org 

This is a once-in-a lifetime series of events. Please, join us in celebrating and sharing Charles Edward Ives's enduring American musical legacy!