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.