Mechanics Hall

2025 Safe Homes Gala & People of Courage Awards
2025-04-04 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
The annual Safe Homes Gala and People of Courage Awards raises money for the Safe Homes program, an LGBTQIA+ drop-in serving youth ages 14-23 in Worcester, North County, and online via Discord.
The People of Courage Awards honors passionate and dedicated individuals and businesses making a difference in the Central Massachusetts community.

Tickets
Questions about the Gala?
Contact us at events@openskycs.org!

2024 People of Courage Awardees
Community Champion Award / Charles O’Donnell
Innovative Business Award / Femme
People’s Choice Award / Queer Youth Assemble
Social Justice Advocacy and Action Award / Chrissi Bates
Young Adult Award / Gabriella Diaz
Youth Award / Alice Cleghorn

The American Big Band Experience
2025-04-06 15:00 - 17:00
The Big Bands are Back with the authentic sights and sounds of the Swing Era!

This event has reserved seating, along with a dance floor & full cash bar
Reserved Seating: $45
Student (with ID): $20
VIP Tickets: $75
Includes signed CD, premium seating, and meet-and-greet access

*Mechanics Hall members get 10% discount on tickets with your promo code!

“Let’s Get Away From It All” – Dan Gabel’s post-pandemic big band celebration!
“The American Big Band Experience” is a thrilling new show developed by Dan Gabel, Kimberly Hawkey, and The American Big Band Preservation Society, Inc. Not only will this Mechanics Hall exclusive be the Massachusetts premiere, but Gabel and his all-star orchestra will be releasing their highly-anticipated new album “Let’s Get Away From It All” available starting April 6, 2025 on CD, digital download, and vinyl LP record
Dan Gabel and The Abletones take the stage, along with award-winning vocalist Kimberly Hawkey for a night of entertaining time-travel. You’ll hear the memorable hits of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Harry James, Vaughn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, and more. The glamor of Hollywood and classic sounds of the Great American Songbook live again with this unforgettable experience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of live big band music!

This event is eligible for free tickets under the Card to Culture Program
Mechanics Hall and Dan Gabel and the Abletones are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Use promo code CARD2CULTUREABBE to redeem. Floor seats only. Limited number of tickets available – if code does not work, there are no more tickets remaining. For eligibility requirements, please see Mechanicshall.org/cardtoculture
Free tickets also available through Vettix.org, an organization that provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.

Sponsored By:
The American Big Band Preservation Society, Inc.
The ABBPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and performing the sounds and history of the Big Bands, with an emphasis on education and keeping this art form in schools.

3rd Annual Choral Invitational presented by Clark University & Mechanics Hall
2025-04-09 19:00
Free Admission – RSVP only – No physical tickets required
General Admission – accessible seating will be available upon entry

Joined by the New England Repertory Orchestra, Clark University and Mechanics Hall invite choirs from Worcester and Central Massachusetts for a day of rehearsal at Mechanics Hall, culminating in a powerful evening performance of Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo. The program will also feature Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, with Clark’s Distinguished Artist-In-Residence in Piano, Yelena Beriyeva, as soloist.
The concert brings together the Clark University Choir, Clark University Symphony Orchestra, and participating choirs from the region for an inspiring day of community, learning, and musical excellence.
Clark University Choir
Clark University Symphony Orchestra
Yelena Beriyeva, piano
Cailin Marcel Manson, music director and conductor

39th Annual Outstanding Technical Student Awards
2025-04-10

LASO Noche Latina
2025-04-12
Private Event
presented by The College of the Holy Cross

Telugu Association of Greater Boston Event
2025-04-13
Ugadi Cultural Event: 11am-2pm
Musical Night with Anup Rubens: 5pm-11pm
Tickets & More Information

US Air Force Academy Band presents "The Spirit of America"
2025-04-15 19:00
Free Admission – RSVP Below (No physical tickets needed)

The United States Air Force Academy Concert Band proudly represents the Air Force Academy, the leading institution for educating, training, and inspiring men and women to become officers of character. The Concert Band is composed of 51 active duty Air Force professionals and is one of nine Academy Band ensembles. In addition to performing for Air Force troop morale, recruiting, and community outreach events, the group often appears on radio and television broadcasts and presents educational performances and clinics at national music conferences. For over 60 years, the Academy Band has used the power of music to honor our nation’s heroes, inspire Air Force personnel and the nation they serve, produce innovative musical programs and products, and communicate Air Force excellence to millions around the world. The United States Air Force Academy Concert Band appears on behalf of Lieutenant General Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy.

Mechanics Hall presents the Worcester Organ Performance Series: Salvatore Pronesti
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00
Doors: 11:30 am | Performance: 12:00 pm
All performances are open to the public.
FREE ADMISSION – No registration required.
Bring your own “brown bag” lunch, or purchase lunches available for purchase. Open to all ages.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of a true master of the organ!
Mechanics Hall Organ Performance Series

Join us for a remarkable performance by Italian organist Salvatore Pronestì on The Worcester Organ as part of the Organ Performance Series.
Produced by Mechanics Hall and the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Both an organist and organ builder, Salvatore Pronestì is known for his elegant playing from the organ repertory as well as convincing orchestral transcriptions and imaginative improvisations.
He studied organ with Luigi Celeghin and attended the Institute of Paleography and Musical Philology at the University of Pavia, Cremona.
He is titolare at Bottega Organaria de Salvatore Pronesti and is regularly invited to several prestigious conferences as an expert speaker in Organology and construction methods of the Italian Organ building tradition.
He concertizes extensively in Europe and the Americas and, among other prestigious posts is Artistic Director of the International Organ Festival at the Pantheon, Rome, Italy.

We thank the supporters of the Organ Performance Series

Mechanics Hall presents Club 321 with Dwayne Haggins
2025-04-17 19:00
Artist: Dwayne Haggins
Mechanics Hall’s Club 321 is proud to present Dwayne Haggins, a genre-blending artist described as “the love child of Hank Williams and Sam Cooke,” on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the intimate Washburn Hall. Known for his soulful voice and ability to seamlessly merge country, rockabilly, and soul, Dwayne has shared the stage with legends like Keb’ Mo’, George Thorogood, and Joe Bonamassa. His performances captivate audiences of all ages, from die-hard music fans to those seeking an unforgettable evening filled with heartfelt melodies and powerful emotions.
This event is part of the Club 321 series, a monthly showcase of exceptional live music. Dwayne Haggins’ performance promises a night of vibrant energy and artistry, making it perfect for music lovers, couples on a date night, or friends looking to enjoy a unique downtown experience. Whether you’re a fan of soul, rockabilly, or heartfelt storytelling through music, Dwayne’s dynamic style will leave a lasting impression.
Tickets are available online, offering an affordable way to experience live music in the heart of downtown Worcester. With convenient parking options, accessibility via public transportation, and the cozy ambiance of Washburn Hall, this is an evening not to be missed. Learn more and secure your spot today to witness the magic of Dwayne Haggins live!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tickets: $20 Advance | $23 Door
Members: 15% discount off single ticket (enter your promo code when checking out)
Time: Doors 6:15pm | Show 7:00pm
Audience: 18+
Cash bar and refreshments available for purchase

This event is eligible for free tickets under the Card to Culture Program
Mechanics Hall is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Limited number of tickets available, limit of 2 per order. Use promo code CARD2CULTURE321 to redeem. For eligibility requirements, please see Mechanicshall.org/cardtoculture
Free tickets also available through Vettix.org, an organization that provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.

Mechanics Hall is walking distance from all downtown locations. The accessible entrance to Mechanics Hall is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. All concerts take place in Washburn Hall on the second floor. If you need assistance, please contact the Mechanics Hall Ticket Office, Wednesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm, by calling 508-752-5608.

Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Berklee presents: Rising Stars!
2025-04-19 20:00 - 22:00
Boston Conservatory Orchestra presents a commencement concert for graduating conducting majors and a celebratory performance by the winner of the 2024 Orchestra Concerto Competition: Rising stars!

General Admission: $17
Seniors & Non-Berklee Students: $12
Current Berklee Students, faculty & staff: 2 FREE tickets with ID at the door

About the Conservatory

Boston Conservatory at Berklee provides a progressive learning environment where students are challenged to realize their potential as artists and inspired to pursue their dreams. Long recognized for its specialized training in dance, music, and theater, the Conservatory’s recent merger with Berklee now combines this rigorous, focused instruction with unparalleled access to a broad range of academic and creative opportunities. Set in the cultural, historical, and educational hub of Boston, this extraordinary institution represents the future of performing arts education.

Conductor: Bruce Hangen
American conductor Bruce Hangen is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Vista Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly Orchestra of Indian Hill) and Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Conducting at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, Massachusetts. Formerly Music Director of the Portland (Maine) and Omaha Symphony Orchestras, Hangen also was the founder and conductor of the Portland (Maine) Opera Repertory Theatre, and has held titled positions with the orchestras of Denver, Kansas City, Utah, Syracuse and Buffalo. Guest conducting has taken him throughout North America as well as Taiwan and Japan. Known for his organizational leadership, musical versatility and creative programming, Hangen also has conducted pops concerts extensively, including a 20-year relationship with the Boston Pops Orchestra. A student of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, Bruce Hangen brings depth and joy to all his music-making.

Worcester Homecoming 2025 Dinner
2025-04-24
Worcester Homecoming is a two-day event held from April 23-24, designed for distinguished alumni to come back and experience the city’s inspiring energy firsthand!
More Information on Worcester Homecoming

WXLO's Awesome 80's Prom
2025-04-26 19:00
🎉 Get Ready for the Most Epic Throwback Party in Worcester! 🎉
The Awesome 80’s Prom at Mechanics Hall is the ultimate night of nostalgia, neon, and non-stop fun! Whether you lived through the 80s or just love the music, this is your chance to step back in time for a night filled with dancing, live music, and throwback vibes.

🎟 Tickets – Scroll down to purchase!

🎶 General Admission $45 + fees

Access to both party spaces – live band in Washburn Hall & DJ dance party in the Great Hall
Full access to event bars & themed cocktails
Special guest appearance by Debbie Gibson!

🌟 MORE TICKETS RELEASED! VIP $65 (Limited Availability!) +fees

Everything in General Admission PLUS:
Reserved VIP seating for when you need a break from the dance floor
Exclusive access to the VIP Lounge & VIP-only cash bar
Access to complimentary snacks & bites
Express entry – skip the line and start the party faster!

💎SOLD OUT VIP with Meet & Greet – $150 (Very Limited!) +fees

Everything in VIP PLUS:
Meet & Greet with Debbie Gibson!

*Fees apply to all ticket sales both online and in person*
*Day Of Tickets $50 + fees

🌟 Two Party Spaces, One Unforgettable Night! 🌟
🎸 Live Band in Washburn Hall – Want to rock out to live 80s hits? Head to Washburn Hall, where an incredible band will be bringing your favorite classics to life. Sing along, grab a drink, and soak in the live music magic!
🎧 DJ Dance Party in The Great Hall – If you’re ready to hit the dance floor, the Great Hall is where the energy is off the charts! Our DJ will be spinning all the biggest 80s anthems, from pop and rock to synth and new wave, keeping the party going all night long.
🌟 Special Guest Appearance by Debbie Gibson! 🌟 That’s right—the one and only Debbie Gibson is making a special appearance to take this prom to the next level! Get ready to relive the magic of one of the most iconic pop stars of the 80s as she joins the party for a truly unforgettable moment.

🎟 VIP Experience – Upgrade your night with VIP tickets! Enjoy premium seating, delicious bites, and exclusive access to a VIP-only cash bar.

👗 Dress the Part (Or Not!) – Go all out with an 80s-inspired outfit—think neon, leg warmers, big hair, or your favorite 80s movie character! But hey, if costumes aren’t your thing, no worries—just come as you are and have a blast.

🍹 Full Bars & Tasty Drinks – Sip on signature cocktails and classic drinks to keep the good times rolling all night long!

🔞 21+ Only
📍 Where? Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA

📅 When? April 26

Mechanics Hall Members save 15% off of tickets with your promo code at checkout!

This event is eligible for free tickets under the Card to Culture Program SOLD OUT
Mechanics Hall is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Free tickets also available through Vettix.org, an organization that provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. Please visit Vettix.org for more information.

Mechanics Hall presents The Worcester Organ Performance Series: Charlie Chaplin's The Kid
2025-05-01 19:00
Experience the Magic of Silent Film with Live Organ Accompaniment!
Known for his exceptional artistry in live film accompaniment, Mechanics Hall Principal Organist Peter Krasinski will bring Chaplin’s iconic silent comedy-drama to life on the famous Worcester Organ, in a thrilling display of live improvisation.
The Kid is a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, and features Jackie Coogan as his foundling baby, adopted son and sidekick. A silent-era classic, it’s a heartwarming tale of resilience and love. Don’t miss this unforgettable blend of film and music!

About Charlie Chaplin’s, “The Kid”
This is Charlie Chaplin’s first full-length feature and has secured a solid place in the pantheon of cinematic masterpieces.
Chaplin’s most recognizable character, the Tramp, is portrayed to full effect in this photoplay from 1921. There is a common misconception that films from the silent era are somehow less relevant than those made more recently—but The Kid quickly dispels that notion.
Although known as a comedy that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, The Kid presents a deeply human story. A woman, after much internal struggle, decides to abandon her baby in the backseat of a car, leaving a handwritten note with the hope that the child will be cared for by the wealthy residents of a nearby home. She has no idea that, through a series of mishaps, the baby will instead be raised by a kind-hearted but simple tramp.
As the story unfolds, the film’s focus expands beyond just the child and his new guardian—it also introduces us to the child’s biological father. The plot becomes poignant, heart-rending, hilarious, and even absurd at times—but always remains profoundly human.
Also not to be missed is the way this film, now over 100 years old, captures an America rich in diversity, hope, energy, and tragedy. It remains a powerful reflection for our own time and invites thoughtful consideration.
I’ll let the film unfold for you, so we may all embark on this journey together. If I were to sum up this film in one sentence, it would be this: Dreams can tell us a great deal; they should be treasured and held onto—and when they are about love, they should always be pursued and hoped for.

All Ages Welcomed
Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:00pm
Accessible Seating will be available upon entry
Admission
Mechanic Hall Members: FREE
Non-Members: Suggested Minimum Donation of $10

This event is part of the Card to Culture Program. Those EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare Cardholders are encouraged to attend with no expected donation

The Worcester Organ
The Worcester Organ Performance Series

UMass Memorial Health 2025 Hope and Healing Celebration
2025-05-03
Join us for the Hope & Healing Celebration, Worcester’s premier fundraising gala to support the lifesaving work of UMass Memorial Health.
Find more information at: https://www.ummhealth.org/giving/hope-and-healing

MCPHS Hooding & Awards Ceremony
2025-05-07
Congratulations to the 2025 Graduates of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences!
More information on 2025 Commencement available here

Mechanics Hall Guided Tour In Honor of Preservation Worcester's Jane Week
2025-05-08 13:00 - 14:30
Mechanics Hall is proud to support Preservation Worcester’s Jane Week festivities with a special guided tour.
Join us for a guided tour of Mechanics Hall, Worcester’s treasured landmark and architectural gem. Internationally recognized for its superb acoustics and breathtaking beauty, Mechanics Hall is one of the world’s great concert halls and a premier venue for performances, recordings, weddings, business events, and more.
As part of this special tour, Mechanics Hall Principal Organist Peter Krasinski will provide a live demonstration and discussion on The Worcester Organ, the Hall’s historic tracker pipe organ, known as The Hook Organ. Built in 1864, this magnificent instrument remains one of the finest surviving examples of its kind. Experience its power and grandeur as Peter Krasinski shares insights into its history, mechanics, and breathtaking sound.
The accessible entrance is located on Waldo Street, with elevators available in the ground-floor lobby for access to all levels. If you need assistance, please contact Mechanics Hall Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, at 508-752-5608.
Mechanics Hall, built in 1857, is owned and operated by the Worcester County Mechanics Association (est. 1842) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore its rich history and hear the magnificent 1864 Hook Organ in action!

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
FREE in participation with Preservation Worcester’s Jane Week
Capacity is very limited, so reserve tickets today!

Next Tour Date: June 9

Club 321 Featuring Evening Sky
2025-05-08 19:00 - 21:00
Artist: Evening Sky
Mechanics Hall’s Club 321 is thrilled to present Evening Sky, a dynamic jazz and roots quartet, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the intimate Washburn Hall. Featuring Chris Brooks on pedal steel guitar, Joe Potenza on bass, Gino Rosati on guitar, and Eric Hastings on drums, this ensemble blends the rich traditions of American music—jazz, folk, R&B, and country—into a spirited and rhythmic sound that captivates audiences. Known for their versatility and ability to reinterpret classics while delivering original compositions, Evening Sky appeals to music lovers of all ages and tastes, especially those who enjoy innovative and soulful performances.
As part of the Club 321 series, this performance offers a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere perfect for a memorable night out with friends or a special date night. Evening Sky’s smooth, playful energy and adaptability create a unique listening experience, whether through their classic instrumentals or creative reinterpretations of favorites like Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. Their fusion of rhythmic grooves and masterful artistry ensures an engaging and unforgettable evening for fans of live music.

Affordable, sophisticated, live music series in the heart of downtown! Club 321 offers exceptional music once a month on Thursdays, delivering a vibe that is both artful and warm. Meet up with your friends or step up your date night!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tickets: $20 Advance | $23 Door
Members: 15% discount off single ticket (enter your promo code when checking out)
Time: Doors 6:15pm | Show 7:00pm
Audience: 18+
Cash bar and refreshments available for purchase

This event is eligible for free tickets under the Card to Culture Program
Mechanics Hall is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Limited number of tickets available, limit of 2 per order. Use promo code CARD2CULTURE321 to redeem. For eligibility requirements, please see Mechanicshall.org/cardtoculture
Free tickets also available through Vettix.org, an organization that provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.

Mechanics Hall is walking distance from all downtown locations. The accessible entrance to Mechanics Hall is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. All concerts take place in Washburn Hall on the second floor. If you need assistance, please contact the Mechanics Hall Ticket Office, Wednesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm, by calling 508-752-5608.

North High School Prom
2025-05-09

Worcester Technical High School Prom
2025-05-10

Boston AGO Tour
2025-05-10
Organ Tour led by Peter Krasinski
All AGO members are invited (regardless of chapter). For more information, please contact dean@bostonago.org

The Eversource Challenge Awards
2025-05-10
The Eversource Challenge is a program for K–12 students living in an Eversource community. It invites students to showcase their knowledge on saving energy, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainability through various challenges.

More Information about the Eversource Challenge

JOMP Spring Gala
2025-05-14 18:30 - 21:00
JOMP’s ensemble programs represent the essence of their identity as Worcester’s Community Music School. Playing in an ensemble brings together students of all ages, and ensemble concerts are a wonderful reason to gather the entire JOMP community for events like the annual Spring Gala.
JOMP Website

Thank you to

Music Worcester presents: The Worcester Chorus: Handel & Charpentier
2025-05-17 20:00 - 22:00
The Worcester Chorus

Conducted by Worcester Chorus directors Chris Shepard & Mark Mummert, The Worcester Chorus will close Music Worcester’s 2024-2025 Season with a performance of celebrated choral works by Handel and Charpentier.

Program
HANDEL Dixit Dominus
CHARPENTIER Te Deum

Chris Shepard
Now in his fifteenth year as conductor of the Worcester Chorus, Chris Shepard also serves as Artistic Director of the Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA), the state’s oldest professional choir, and the Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey. His choirs have collaborated with a number of orchestras, such as the Juilliard Orchestra, the Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, in venues that include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall in New York, as well as the Royal Festival Hall in London and the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.

Chris has prepared choirs for major international conductors, including Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Simone Young, Carlos Miguel Prieto and William Boughton, as well as for Broadway legend Patti Lupone and Ray Davies of the Kinks. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2015, and made his conducting debut with the New Haven Symphony in 2016. Chris returned to America in 2008 after a dozen years in Sydney, Australia, where he founded the Sydneian Bach Choir and Orchestra.

He led their BACH 2010, a project to perform all of Bach’s choral cantatas. Under his direction, the ensemble performed over eighty cantatas, as well as the two Passions, B Minor Mass, and Christmas Oratorio; they completed the cantata cycle in 2013. In addition to the music of J.S. Bach, Chris has conducted many staples of the choral-orchestral repertoire, and he has commissioned and premiered a number of new choral works in both Australia and America. He also leads two of the longest-running annual Messiah performances in America, with the Worcester Chorus and at Carnegie Hall with the Masterwork Chorus.

A committed music educator, Chris has served on the faculty of the Taft School, Sydney Grammar School, Hotchkiss Summer Portals, and Holy Cross College. He founded the Litchfield County Children’s Choir in 1990, and has conducted numerous middle and high school festival choirs in New England, New York and Australia. He presented two documentaries with SBS-TV, an Australian national public television network, and has given several presentations at conferences for American Choral Directors Association and Australian National Kodàly Association. Chris has been a guest conductor at Emmanuel Church in Boston, a church renowned for its four-decade Bach cantata project, and he currently serves as Music Director of St John’s Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut. He led the Dessoff Choir in New York City from 2010 to 2016.

A pianist and keyboard continuist, Chris holds degrees from the Hartt School, the Yale School of Music (where he studied choral conducting with Marguerite Brooks) and the University of Sydney. He researched the performance history of Bach’s B Minor Mass in New York City for his PhD in Musicology; his dissertation won the American Choral Directors Association’s 2012 Julius Herford Prize for outstanding doctoral thesis in choral music.

Buy Tickets

Adult: $39-$55
Student: $17.50
Youth (18 & under): $7.50

Tickets include free parking

Worcester Youth Orchestras Presents: 77th Season Finale Gala
2025-05-18 16:00
Don’t miss WYO’s Annual Season Finale Gala! A treasured celebration of our student’s achievements, including our senior graduation ceremony. Fantastic music by our major ensembles, silent auction, raffles and prizes await you to help support WYO’s Scholarship Fund.
Featuring:
WY Wind Ensemble, Lucy Colwell, Director
WY Jazz Program, Dan Gabel, Director
WY Philharmonic & String Orchestra, Jack Corbett, Director
WY Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Colby, Music Director
Senior Graduation Ceremony concluding with Ashokan Farewell
Seating & Dinner Information:
Dinner is served at 5:00pm. Enjoy our Dinner Table Seating which includes a 3 course hot dinner and reserved seating.
Cash Bar available throughout performance, credit cards accepted. Drinks may be taken into the balcony.
Dinner (Table Seating Only) is served during intermission, please enjoy additional jazz music. Doors will open at 3:15pm.

Purchase Tickets

Music Worcester Presents Kyung-Wha Chung: Violin Recital
2025-05-21 08:00 - 17:00
Kyung-Wha Chung: Violin Recital with Kevin Kenner, piano
Tickets go on sale June 23, 2025

Touring with pianist Kevin Kenner, violinist Kyung-Wha Chung is performing four massive, musically diverse violin sonatas showcasing her extraordinary skill and musicality. Her acclaim began in the 1970s as Itzhak Perlman’s substitute with the London Symphony Orchestra, and since then she’s collected recognition for solo recordings, chamber music, and her teaching residency at Julliard.

Kyung-Wha Chung is a South Korean-born violinist, who brings her renowned musicality to performances with the world’s most prestigious orchestras under the baton of conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, and Bernard Haitink. Chung has pleased millions of listeners with her powerful sound. She’s spent her career bringing audiences together to hear the limitless sound of the violin, and brings that same grandiose to Worcester.
In this rich program for violin and piano, Chung explores the personalities of the violin through many thematic voices. These four works display lush, intense, and virtuosic writing for violin, drawing the listener in with natural moments of introspection followed by passionate explosions of sound. From Schoenberg’s poignant expressivity to Debussy’s flowery drama, these works push the boundaries of solo violin listeners may be used to. This program – while delicate, lyrical, and dramatic – is inspirational, touching on four distinct types of writing for violin.

PROGRAM
Claude Debussy – Violin Sonata in G minor, L 140
Franz Schubert – Fantasie in C major, D. 934
Arnold Schoenberg – Phantasy for Violin, Op. 47
César Franck – Sonata in A Major

Kyung-Wha Chung is recognized throughout the world as one of the finest violinists of her generation. A prolific recording artist, her dazzling and probing artistry has made her a much-acclaimed performer throughout her forty-year career. Lauded for her passion, her musicality, and the intense excitement that she brings to her performances, Chung’s uniquely expressive interpretations of the violin literature have established her as an artist of the very highest stature. Born in South Korea, Chung first heard the violin at the age of six. Instantly mesmerized by its tone, she was swiftly recognized as a child prodigy, making her concert debut aged nine with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. At thirteen, Chung enrolled at The Juilliard School, New York, and began studying with renowned pedagogue Ivan Galamian, and later with Joseph Szigeti.

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Upon winning the prestigious Edgar Leventritt Competition in 1967, Chung was immediately engaged by major American orchestras – including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic – and also performed at the exclusive White House Gala. She made her sensational European debut in 1970, performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Sir André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra, at London’s Royal Festival Hall. This concert was met with great critical acclaim and public attention, and – as a result – Chung received offers of concerts throughout the United Kingdom. Subsequently obtaining an exclusive recording contract with Decca/London, Chung’s debut album – of the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius concertos with Sir André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra – brought her to international attention, and she continued to perform with the world’s greatest orchestras (including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra, among others). Throughout her career, Kyung Wha Chung has enjoyed working alongside the world’s finest conductors, including Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Charles Dutoit, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Muti, Sir André Previn, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Georg Solti and Klaus Tennstedt. Her chamber music partnerships have included high calibre pianists such as Peter Frankl, Kevin Kenner, Stephen Kovacevich, Radu Lupu, and Krystian Zimerman.
Kyung-Wha Chung has recorded numerous award-winning albums, and her extensive discography reflects the impressive breadth of her repertoire. Following her recording contract with Decca/London, in 1988 Chung subsequently signed for a period with EMI Classics, and also released recordings with RCA and Deutsche Grammophon. Winner of two Gramophone Awards (the first, for her Deutsche Grammophon album of Strauss and Respighi sonatas with Krystian Zimerman; the second, for her EMI recording of Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto with Sir Simon Rattle), Chung has also received many prizes and top honors – including the Medal of Civil Merit from the South Korean government, and the Ho Am Prize for the Arts in 2011.
Following an injury to her hand, Chung stopped performing in 2005. During this time away from the stage, she found a new calling as a teacher, joining the faculty of her alma mater, The Juilliard School. In addition to this, Kyung Wha Chung is Chair Professor for Music at Ewha University in Seoul, and Charity Ambassador for Better World (an active patron for their Child Rescue Project in Africa). She is also the Artistic Director of the Great Mountains Music Festival & School, based in South Korea.
Five years after her retirement, 2010 marked Chung’s triumphant return to the Asian stage. Greeted by enthusiastic audiences and the highest critical acclaim, in 2013 she embarked on an extensive Asian tour of fifteen cities, including Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing. Kyung Wha Chung made her much anticipated return to the European concert platform in December 2014, with a national UK tour culminating in a sensational sell-out recital at the Royal Festival Hall, London. In July 2016 she opened the prestigious Verbier Festival, performing the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Verbier Festival Orchestra and Charles Dutoit. Kyung Wha Chung has signed an exclusive international record contract with Warner Classics, the first release of which – Solo Bach Sonatas & Partitas – was released in October 2016. Chung has performed works from the CD at Suntory Hall (January 2017), The Barbican (May 2017) and Carnegie Hall (May 2017).

Recognized as one of the top Chopin interpreters of our time, Kevin Kenner was the top prize winner in the 1990 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, as well as top prizes in the Tchaikovsky Competition and the Terrance Judd Competition, among others.
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Born in California, Kenner was introduced early to the classical music traditions of Poland and studied as a teenager with Poland’s eminent professor Ludwik Stefański in Cracow. When he returned to the U.S. he continued his studies with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and worked with Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center. Following a concert tour with conductor Stanisław Skrowaczewski, who frequently performed and recorded with Artur Rubinstein, described his collaborations with Kenner to be the most sensitive and beautiful he remembered.
He has performed and recorded with violinist Kyung-Wha Chung and concertized with the Tokyo, Escher, Belcea, Mosaiques, Apollon Musagete, Endellion and Vogler Quartets. In addition, he has frequently been invited to appear at the Verbier Festival and Warsaw’s “Chopin and His Europe” Festival.
A distinguished recording artist, Kenner’s interpretations of works by Paderewski and Chopin were each picked as recordings of the month by Grammophone magazine. Other recordings were heralded by Diapason, Fanfare and Polish National Radio. After teaching for more than a decade as professor at London’s Royal College of Music, Kenner accepted a post at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he continues to prepare many young talented pianists for international performance careers. He has served as juror at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano and at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw among many others.

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Worcester Symphony Orchestra presents: Duty, Honor & Country - Music from the Movies
2025-05-31 19:00
The drama of combat has inspired many thrilling works for orchestra, and film directors have deployed symphonic forces to heighten the suspense and excitement felt by viewers of war films such as “Patton,” “Platoon,” “Band of Brothers,” “The Great Escape,” and “Schindler’s List.” The Worcester Symphony brings music from these scores and others to the Mechanics Hall stage.

The Worcester Symphony Orchestra (WSO), formerly the New England Symphony Orchestra, has served Central Massachusetts for more than 50 years, providing programs for the education, enrichment and pleasure of the citizens and musicians of the region. The orchestra is an independent cultural organization committed to enhancing the quality of life in our communities.

Red: $79
Purple: $65
Green: $55
Students can select any seats in Green or Purple Seating sections for $15 each

Members use your promocode for 15% off tickets!
No more Card to Culture tickets remaining for this performance.
This event is eligible for free tickets under the Card to Culture Program. Limited number of tickets available.
Mechanics Hall and The Worcester Symphony Orchestra are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For eligibility requirements, please see Mechanicshall.org/cardtoculture
