Arturo O’Farrill Named 2025–26 Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence

KMFA Classical 89.5 is proud to announce that renowned jazz pianist, composer, and conductor Arturo O’Farrill has been named the 2025–26 Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence. A six-time Grammy Award winner celebrated for his boundary-breaking work in Afro Latin jazz and contemporary composition, O’Farrill will bring his artistry, voice, and vision to Austin through a year-long residency at KMFA.

This residency is part of The Declaration Project, a groundbreaking national initiative led by pianist and activist Lara Downes that invites Americans to reflect on the founding principles of our nation—Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—through the lens of music and the arts. Together, O’Farrill and Downes will lead a dynamic program of performances, outreach, and community dialogue in Austin and beyond.

A National Commission with Local Impact

KMFA is honored to serve as a co-commissioner of three new works being created for The Declaration Project, joining a distinguished roster of presenting partners that includes Lincoln Center, the Big Ears Festival, Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, Philadelphia Orchestra, Meany Center at the University of Washington, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Cal Performances. Together, these institutions are harnessing the power of music to spark national reflection and civic dialogue.

As part of his residency, O’Farrill will:

Meet with performance and composition students at the University of Texas Jazz Studio.
Conduct a Masterclass with Golden Hornet students, led by Austin composer Graham Reynolds.
Participate in public conversations, performances, and broadcasts that bring listeners, students, and community members into the dialogue.

The residency will culminate in a powerful evening of music in the Draylen Mason Music Studio, where O’Farrill and Downes will be joined by a choir led by Adrienne Pedrotti Bingamon for a performance of Margaret Bonds’ Credo, an inspiring work that blends Western classical traditions, jazz elements, spirituals, and the words of W.E.B. Du Bois. The program will also feature the formal recognition of Arturo O’Farrill as the 2025–26 Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence.

Community Participation: Share Your Voice

In addition to these performances, KMFA will serve as a local hub for public participation in The Declaration Project. Artists, students, and community members are invited to submit original works inspired by their own interpretations of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Submissions can take the form of music, poetry, dance, spoken word, visual art, or any creative medium.

Selected works will:

Be included in a national digital archive of The Declaration Project.
Be considered for inclusion in an accompanying video installation premiering alongside the DECLARATION concert.

The KMFA Declaration Project Submission Portal is now open at kmfa.org/declaration.

Building on a Legacy of Representation

The Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence program was created in response to the national call for greater diversity in classical music. With classical music historically dominated by white, male composers and gatekeepers, this program shines a light on composers of color and other underrepresented communities—both on stage and on the air.

Arturo O’Farrill joins an impressive roster of recent composers-in-residence including Quinn Mason, Clarice Assad, and Sophie Mathieu. Through their music and mentorship, these artists have reshaped the cultural conversation around classical music in Austin and nationally.

Looking Ahead

O’Farrill and Downes are scheduled to return to Austin multiple times between now and Fall 2026, when The Declaration Project will have its Texas premiere. As Austin becomes a central hub for this national dialogue, KMFA is proud to bring world-class artistry and urgent civic reflection to our community.

Support for KMFA's Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence program and DECLARATION is provided by Tejemos Foundation and Doctors Lou Ann and William F. Lasher.