Music Worcester was originally known as the Worcester County Music Association, which was founded on September 28, 1858 in order to provide musical programming in the recently opened Mechanics Hall (opened in 1857). The Festival Chorus, still an important part of the organization and now known as The Worcester Chorus of Music Worcester was also founded in 1858.

First in Mechanics Hall and later at The Worcester Memorial Auditorium, the organization produced a week-long Worcester Music Festival for over 100 years. In 1976, the festival changed its format, expanding to a full season of programming, and in 1996, merged with the International Artists Series and the MA Jazz Festival to form the Music Worcester we know today. Music Worcester now connects Central Massachusetts audiences of all ages and backgrounds with world-renowned orchestras, soloists, and ensembles from the worlds of classical, jazz, folk, world music, and dance at venues throughout the Worcester area.

The next major milestone for Music Worcester came in 2024, when THE COMPLETE BACH was launched, an 11-year project to present all known works of J.S. Bach.

See a list of past concerts.

Music Worcester History Highlights

2025: EVERETT MCCORVEY: Composer and singer Everett McCorvey is named the third Artist-in-Residence for the year 2026

2025: YO-YO MA RETURNS: The acclaimed cellist returns to Music Worcester for a sold-out performance.

2024: THE COMPLETE BACH: The launch of the 11-year project to present all known works of J.S. Bach, which includes 11 concerts per year and three podcasts series.

2023: VIJAY GUPTA: The violinist Vijay Gupta is named the second Artist-in-Residence

2019: ITZHACK PERLMAN: The violinist performs at both Mechanics Hall and the Hanover Theatre in the same weekend.

2018: BENJAMIN BRITTEN WAR REQUIEM: Chris Shepard assists John Daly Goodwin in conducting The Worcester Chorus, The Salisbury Singers, Master Singers of Worcester, Sounds of Stow, and Worcester Children’s Chorus for this blockbuster presentation.

2018: ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM: Music Worcester establishes its first-ever season long Artist-in-Residency program—forming connections with artists to teach and coach sessions in the Worcester public schools. Pianist Simone Dinnerstein is named the first Artist-in-Residence.

2017: WYNTON MARSALIS: The sold-out opener for the 2017-18 season features the virtuoso jazz trumpeter with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

2016: JAMIE BARTON: The Met’s acclaimed mezzo-soprano braves a winter storm to perform at Mechanics Hall with pianist Bradley Moore.

2016: PATTI LUPONE: The two-time Tony Award winner brings her show to a cabaret-styled Mechanics Hall.

2014: HOVENESIAN PRIZE ESTABLISHED: To honor Music Worcester’s long-time executive director, the Music Guild names the top prize of the Young Artist Competitions the Stasia B. Hovenesian Prize.

2013: ADRIEN FINLAY BEGINS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: With an eye toward the future, Finlay brings new ideas for audience engagement and focuses energy on headliners and educational opportunities.

2013: TICKETS TO OPPORTUNITY: Music Worcester’s groundbreaking program expands its efforts to provide free tickets to youth and families in the public school systems.

1996: MERGER: Music Worcester, Inc. is formed through a merger of the Worcester County Music Association, International Artist Series, and the Massachusetts Jazz Festival.

1996: DIZZY GILLESPIE: Bebop, Cuban, Brazilian & African rhythms are on display with Gillespie’s unique jazz artistry.

1991: YO‑YO MA: The Grammy-award winner champions upcoming musicians performing with the Junge Deutsche Philharmonic.

1990: RAY CHARLES: Mechanics Hall rocks with Charles’ unique combination of blues, rhythm & blues and gospel styles.

1984: LEONTYNE PRICE: The renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano performs a commemorative recital for the 125th anniversary of the Festival.

1983: STASIA HOVENESIAN: Hovenesian becomes director of the Worcester County Music Association, a career that would span 38 years.

1976: Following the renovation of Mechanics Hall, the Festival returns to its original home.

1973: DUKE ELLINGTON: “Take the ‘A’ Train” is among numbers performed at the 113th Music Festival.

1972: ITZHAK PERLMAN: The 24-year-old virtuoso performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor at The Worcester Memorial Auditorium.

1969: AARON COPELAND & MARIAN ANDERSON: A tribute to Abraham Lincoln includes Anderson’s narrated excerpts of letters and Copland’s composition: “A Lincoln Portrait.”

1960: WORCESTER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM: Built as a World War I memorial, the auditorium would serve as venue for many of the Worcester County Music Association’s concerts.

1958: VAN CLIBURN: The legendary pianist, Van Cliburn, performed at the Worcester Music Festival in 1958.

1933: The Worcester Memorial Auditorium opens and the the Festival begins performing there. They will continue to perform there regularly for more than 40 years.

1918: ONLY FESTIVAL CANCELLATION: The week-long Festival is cancelled for the only time due the Great Influenza epidemic

1893: ANTONIN DVORAK: Dvořák conducts his compositions of “Praise Jehovah” and “Husitzka” at Mechanics Hall.

1858: WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL, the oldest music festival in the U.S. begins at Mechanics Hall to increase the “knowledge of works by the great masters.” It was organized by self-taught musician Edward Hamilton and his assistant Benjamin F. Baker.