The Danbury Museum and The Danbury Music Centre have organized a multi-day celebration to honor Charles Ives on his 150th birthday, which will take place on October 20, 2024. Charles Ives, who was born in Danbury, CT on October 20, 1874, was greatly influenced by the sights and sounds of Main Street and the surrounding countryside. He drew inspiration from the blend of sounds coming from hat factories, diverse multilingual communities, city life, and country life, to create internationally renowned musical compositions that have continued to inspire the U.S. and international music community for over 100 years.

Ives Week celebrations—all of them free of charge— honor his life, his work, his family, and his legacy. The diverse artists performing will interpret the Ives canon 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, at 7 pm 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 3 pm performance by the Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Ives Concert Hall, followed by the grand finale of the celebration, Louise Bessette, Canadian pianist, and Latitude 45 recording artist, playing Ives Piano Sonata No. 2 at a 6 pm concert. Full schedule and artist bios available at CharlesIves150.org.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime series of events sponsored by the City of Danbury Cultural Commission (Presenting Sponsor), Western Connecticut State University, Savings Bank of Danbury, Donald & Patricia Weeden, the Amber Room Colonnade, the Hopkins School, and the Rizzo Companies.