MCPHS Hooding & Awards Ceremony
2025-05-07 | Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
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 (America/New_York)
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

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health of MA/RI Annual Gala
2025-05-16 18:00
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health of Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s annual gala to raise critical funds for children, adolescents and adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences.
Private Event

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.

Saint Paul Graduation
2025-05-22

Walnut Tree Service 10th Anniversary Celebration
2025-05-24
Private Event

Shrewsbury High School Graduation
2025-05-27

Sutton High School Graduation
2025-05-28

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

Clark University Presents: 7th Global Conference on Economic Geography
2025-06-04 09:00 - 15:00
Presented by Clark University, The Global Conference on Economic Geography is the largest international conference dedicated to Economic Geography. Highlights for the 7th annual conference “Governance Challenges for A Sustainable and Inclusive Future” will include:

Cutting-edge research concerning the sources and drivers of socio-economic change, and an assessment of the economic geography of places in a multi-scalar and multi-dimensional context
Implications for businesses, policy makers, planners, and teaching
Plenary sessions and debates with eminent scholars, policy makers and practitioners
Hundreds of presentations on a variety of relevant themes, incl. inequality, development, finance, technological change and innovation, knowledge and skills, production and consumption, planning, digital platforms and peripheral places.
Inspiration, networking and best-practice sharing with close to 1,000 people from around the globe
Exhibitions by leading publishers
Opening reception, conference gala dinner, and other networking events

Learn More

Millbury High School Graduation
2025-06-06

Mechanics Hall Guided Tour: Portraits Gallery & History of the Hall
2025-06-09 10:00 - 11:30
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!

10:00 am – 11:30 pm
$10
Mechanics Hall Members FREE with your code at checkout!

Capacity is very limited, so reserve tickets today!

Next tour date: August 6th

200th Annual Meeting of the Worcester Natural History Society/EcoTarium
2025-06-10 17:00
Join us for the 200th Annual Meeting of Worcester Natural History Society/EcoTarium! We will continue our 200th anniversary celebration by reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year. Enjoy refreshments and musical selections, hear presentations by community members, and celebrate the recipient of the fourth annual Edward Howe Forbush Naturalist Award – an individual who has lived the EcoTarium’s mission and values, with a commitment to conservation and a passion for science and nature.
This event is open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted. Pre-registration is required by June 6.
Information & Registration

Encore: A Night of Music & Celebration
2025-06-13 20:00
Immerse yourself in a night of celebration with performances spanning multiple genres, surprise pop-up experiences, legacy-defining moments, and plenty of time and space to connect with friends and fellow supporters. This Milestone event marks a turning point in the Hall’s remarkable story – don’t miss your chance to be a part of it.
ENCORE: A Night to Celebrate, Discover and Experience Mechanics Hall Like Never Before
Featuring Live Performances by:

Cara Brindisi
Peter Krasinski
Michelle “EVIL GAL” Willson
Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers!

Tickets

$50 | General Admission
Admission to all Performances that take place in The Great Hall.
$100 | All-Access: Bubbles, Brews & Bites – Sip, Savor & Score Premium Seating for the Main Event!
Start your night in style with an exclusive pre-show reception in Washburn Hall featuring an intimate performance by Carlos Odria, drinks & light bites, and premium access to reserved seating areas in The Great Hall!

Do you or someone in your party require accessible seating or accommodations?
No problem! Accessible seating is available – our staff will be readily available to assist you upon arrival.

This Evening Made Possible By:

With Support From:
Acrisure
Cornerstone Bank
Dance Prism Ballet
The Fontaine Community Foundation
The Guru Tax & Financial Services
Hollywoot Film Group
LPA Architects
FW Madigan, Inc
Mirick
Museum of Worcester
Music Worcester and the Worcester Chorus
Open Sky Community Services
Parma Recordings
Seven Hills Foundation
Unibank
Webster Five
West Bridge
Margaret Wong
Worcester Academy
The Worcester District Medical Society

Photo credits from left: Cole Parks, Artrocity, Sophia Rviello, David Niles

Mechanics Hall presents: The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus
2025-06-16 12:00 - 13:00
FREE ADMISSION – ALL ARE WELCOME
THIS EVENT IS NOT TICKETED AND REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

Join us at Mechanics Hall on Monday, June 16 at 12:00 PM for a powerful and patriotic concert featuring The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, officially marked on June 14. This free community concert will honor military service—past, present, and future—through music and storytelling that celebrates the spirit of America and those who serve to protect it.
Based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Army Field Band is the official touring musical representative of the United States Army. Known as “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army,” these elite, active-duty soldiers connect with communities across the country and around the world through live performances and digital outreach, inspiring patriotism and honoring veterans with every note.
Accompanying the band is the acclaimed Soldiers’ Chorus, a 24-member vocal ensemble with a rich history of performing throughout all 50 states and internationally. With repertoire ranging from classical and opera to Broadway, pop, and Americana, the Chorus showcases both ensemble excellence and individual artistry. They have appeared with top symphony orchestras including the Boston Pops and have been featured at iconic events such as the Kennedy Center Honors, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, and the state funerals of U.S. Presidents.
Don’t miss this moving and unforgettable performance—a stirring tribute to the dedication, sacrifice, and service of our armed forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Domingos Robinson, Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Domingos Robinson currently serves as the Commander of The United States Army Field Band. Prior to this assignment, he served as Deputy Commander of The United States Army Field Band; Commander of the Eighth United States Army Band stationed in South Korea; Deputy Commandant, Director of Training, and Commander of The U.S. Army School of Music; Army Music Liaison Officer for U.S. Army Central Command in Kuwait; Commander of the Army Ground Forces Band in Atlanta, Georgia; The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC, and The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
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LTC Robinson’s ensembles have performed for significant events throughout the United States and Asia, serving as a key communications tool for the Senior Mission Commander while providing music in support of our Allied Partners. During his four years in Washington, LTC Robinson’s ensembles participated in such events as the 44th Presidential Inauguration, the dedication of the National World War II Memorial, the State Funerals of President Ronald Reagan and President Gerald Ford, the nationally televised “Christmas in Washington,” the Kennedy Center Honors, and “A Capital Fourth,” as well as performances with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Akron Symphony Orchestra.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Hartwick College and a Master of Music in Conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of Frank Battisti. LTC Robinson is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association.

Soldiers’ Chorus
The Soldiers’ Chorus, founded in 1957, is the vocal complement of The United States Army Field Band of Washington, DC. The 24-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of The Musical Ambassadors of the Army. The chorus has performed in all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, India, the Far East, and throughout Europe, entertaining audiences of all ages.
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The diverse musical backgrounds of Soldiers’ Chorus personnel provide the ensemble with unique flexibility, and in addition to presenting selections from the vast choral repertoire, each member of the ensemble is an accomplished soloist in their own right. Performances often include the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet, Americana, as well as Pop, Rock, and R&B. Critics have acclaimed recent appearances with the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, and National symphony orchestras, giving the chorus a nationwide reputation for musical excellence and inspiring patriotism.
Other notable performances include four world fairs, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, American Choral Directors Association conferences, Kennedy Center Honors Programs, the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, the 100th anniversary of Grand Canyon National Park, PBS’s annual National Memorial Day Concert and the state funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush. Most recently, the Soldiers’ Chorus co-commissioned The Falling and The Rising: A New American Opera, appeared on the CBS broadcast Songs of Service, and was featured on the Grammy-award winning album Soundtrack of the American Soldier.
“The diversity of the program showcased the caliber of talent superbly. We felt a little closer to all the men & women serving our country.”
– Proud grandparents of a Soldier

Concert Band
The Concert Band is the oldest and largest of the Field Band’s four performing components. This elite 65-member instrumental ensemble, founded in 1946, has performed in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries for audiences totaling more than 100 million. Tours have taken the band throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Far East, and India. The group appears in a wide variety of settings, from world-famous concert halls, such as the Berlin Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall, to state fairgrounds and high school gymnasiums. Show MoreThe Concert Band regularly travels and performs with the Soldiers’ Chorus, together presenting a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos. The organization has also performed joint concerts with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In addition to formal programs, the Concert Band has participated in numerous presidential inaugural parades and supported many diplomatic missions overseas. Regardless of the venue, the pageantry and professionalism of the band’s performance is sure to be entertaining and emotional for all audiences, instilling pride in our American heritage.

Digital Interactive Program for the Performance
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Golden Era Gala: 20 Years of Shine
2025-06-20 18:00
As we step into this momentous year, we are filled with joy and gratitude to celebrate Shine’s 20th anniversary!
Over the past two decades, we have made incredible strides in our mission to reduce the stigma surrounding youth mental health, and none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of all of you.

To honor this milestone and the thousands of lives impacted by our work, we are thrilled to invite you to our “Golden Era Gala.” This will be an evening of reflection, celebration, and most importantly, action. Together, we’ll acknowledge the remarkable progress made and those who helped us get to this moment, but also look ahead to the future and the work that is left to be done.

At our Gala we will honor those who have supported our work over the past 20 years, hear from some of our students, and be able to connect with others who share in our passion for mental health advocacy. It will be a memorable night that will further fuel our shared commitment to building a world where mental health is no longer a source of shame, but a part of the conversation we have with understanding, compassion and without bias.

Mark the date in your calendar, feel free to dress in your best 1920s themed attire, and bring your dancing shoes!!

Tickets

Graduation Ceremony for the LACE & BACE Program
2025-06-21 10:00 - 14:00

Worcester Chapter AGO Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced
2025-07-09 09:00 - 17:00
Pipe Organ Encounters (POE) is an educational outreach program of the American Guild of Organists intended to introduce the organ to young people and adults. POEs generally last 5 – 6 days, and include group and individual instruction, performances by guest artists, and field trips to visit and hear notable instruments. Major funding is provided by the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America. Additional support is provided by the American Institute of Organbuilders and the Jordan Organ Endowment. POE scholarships are provided by the AGO New Organist Fund.

July 9
POEA At Mechanics Hall
POE – Advanced (POEA) is for young organists (no younger than 13 and no older than 18) entering grades 9-12, who play the organ at an advanced level. Participants must submit an audition recording and other supporting materials in order to apply to the POEA.
Apply

Music Worcester presents: Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2025-07-18 19:00
Ladysmith Black Mambazo

a co-presentation with Crocodile River Music

The a cappella vocal group that has been creating music for over sixty years brings South African musical tradition to Worcester. In partnership with Crocodile River Music, the Worcester-based organization showcasing African artists, Ladysmith Black Mambazo shares their trademark tight harmony and exciting rhythm. You may know the group from Paul Simon’s Graceland album, but since then we’ve heard so much more from the ensemble, which is one of the (if not the) most famous South African musical groups of all time.
In this performance filled with groove, traditional instrumentation, and energy that’s filled the hall since 1960, audiences are also introduced to historically informed style. Bringing Isicathamiya to the stage – a style of Zulu a capella – the group provides a powerful and approachable introduction to South African musical style.

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About Crocodile River Music

Crocodile River Music was established in 2011 by Zach Combs and Issa Coulibaly to support African artists in presenting music, dance, and art that both educates and connects audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities.
In 2012, we launched the African Arts in Education program, allowing us to extend our reach to schools and community groups. This program has served over 200,000 students in its first ten years, leaving a lasting impact through interactive workshops, compelling performances, and engaging school residencies.
Today as a Worcester-based nonprofit organization, our offerings – including concerts, workshops, lectures, and other educational programs – showcase emerging and established African artists to inform, connect, and inspire audiences.

About Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Let us tell you a story. An impossible to believe, yet, true story. Once upon a time there was a teenage boy working on his family farm in apartheid South Africa. The year was 1960. This boy loved to sing, in fact he loved to sing so much that he allowed himself an impossible dream. In his dream he would create a group of singers, from his family members, to sing traditional South African songs. His group would perform all over South Africa and they would become the greatest music group his country would ever know. How could such a dream come to a young farm boy in a country rife with hardship, violence and trouble? Well, Joseph Shabalala was this young farm boy and his dream would become Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
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The year 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of Joseph Shabalala forming Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His group would not only conquer all of South Africa, but would become a worldwide phenomenon, winning more GRAMMY Awards (Five), and receiving more GRAMMY Award nominations (Nineteen), than any World Music group in the history of recorded music.
During the dark years of South African Apartheid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo followed a path of peaceful protest through songs of hope and love. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, in 1990, he said that Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music was a powerful message of peace that he listened to while in jail. When Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1993, he asked the group to join him at the ceremony. It was Mandela who called Ladysmith Black Mambazo “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.”
The group sings a traditional music style called isicathamiya (Is-Cot-A-Mee-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa. It was there that black workers were taken to work far away from their homes and families. Poorly housed and paid, the mine workers would entertain themselves, after a six-day work week, by singing songs into the wee hours on Saturday night and Sunday. When the miners returned to their homes, this musical tradition returned with them.
In the mid-1980s, American singer/songwriter Paul Simon famously visited South Africa and incorporated the group’s rich harmonies into his renowned Graceland album – a landmark recording considered seminal in introducing World Music to mainstream audiences. This brought the group to the attention of music lovers all over the world, the beginning of a global musical career that shows no sign of ending.
After leading his group for over fifty years and approaching his seventy-fifth birthday, Joseph Shabalala retired in 2014, handing the leadership to his three sons, Thulani, Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala. Having joined their father’s group in 1993, their many years of training had prepared them in ways no others could be trained. Now, carrying their father’s dream into the future, the Shabalala Family continues the group’s success for the world to hear.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is Thulani Shabalala, Sibongiseni Shabalala, Thamsanqa Shabalala, Msizi Shabalala, Albert Mazibuko, Abednego Mazibuko, Mfanafuthi Dlamini, Pius Shezi and Sabelo Mthembu.

Mechanics Hall Guided Tour: Portraits Gallery & History of the Hall
2025-08-06 10:00 - 11:30
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!

10:00 am – 11:30 pm
$10
Mechanics Hall Members FREE with your code at checkout!

Capacity is very limited, so reserve tickets today!
Stay for a special Pop-Up Organ Performance at 12pm featuring internationally-acclaimed organist Dr. Carol Williams – Free Admission, no registration necessary!

Pop-Up Organ Performance featuring internationally acclaimed organist Dr. Carol Williams
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00
Doors Open 11:30 am
Performance begins at 12:00 pm
Free Admission – No Registration Required

Lunch is welcome—bring your own or pick something up at concessions!
For more information about The Worcester Organ, visit us at www.MechanicsHall.org/the-worcester-organ

“A virtuoso’s flair…Williams produced delicate, flower-like arpeggiated figures that touched the spirit.” — The Washington Post
About Carol Williams
Dr. Carol Williams has dazzled audiences worldwide with her electrifying performances, praised for her “virtuoso’s flair,” “innate musicality,” and “flamboyant, magnificent” artistry. She is known for breaking boundaries with her diverse programs, charisma, and her signature approach that blends grand tradition with a modern, engaging style.

The Worcester Organ Performance Series: Worcester Chapter AGO Organists Artist Showcase
2025-08-13 12:00 - 13:00
Experience the legacy, artistry, and power of the Worcester Organ as local artists bring it to life in this inspiring community showcase.
Join us for a special afternoon as part of the Worcester Organ Performance Series, featuring talented organists from the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). This Artist Showcase is a unique opportunity for AGO members to perform on the iconic Worcester Organ—a majestic, historic instrument housed in the stunning Mechanics Hall.
Worcester Organ Performance Series
Worcester Chapter AGO Organists Artist Showcase
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Doors Open: 11:30 AM | Performance: 12:00 PM
Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA
Free Admission
Lunch is welcome—bring your own or pick something up at concessions!
For more information about The Worcester Organ, visit us at www.MechanicsHall.org/the-worcester-organ
