Emanuel Ax, Ballet Hispánico and More Set for Music Worcester 2026-2027 Season

Music Worcester will launch its 2026–2027 season on October 16 with an opening night performance by acclaimed pianist Emanuel Ax and The Knights at Mechanics Hall. The program will feature Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 25, setting the stage for a dynamic season of 23 events presented across Worcester venues. Full information and ticketing details available at musicworcester.org.

Season highlights include multiple performances led by Artist-in-Residence Dr. Everett McCorvey; a return appearance by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine February 5; and spring dance presentations co-presented with The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, featuring Ballet Hispánico New York (March 4) and the Martha Graham Dance Company (April 24).

“The upcoming 2026-2027 season truly showcases everything that defines Music Worcester today—artistic excellence, ambitious long-term vision, and a deep commitment to our community,” said Adrien Finlay, Executive Director of Music Worcester. “From welcoming Dr. Everett McCorvey as the organization's third Artist-in-Residence, to the continuation of large-scale projects like The Complete Bach, Music Worcester seeks to inspire audiences to experience extraordinary artistry while increasing accessibility.”

The commitment to increased accessibility includes a new approach to Music Worcester's ticketing model. All nine of their general admission events use “Pay What You Wish” pricing, except for one event that is completely free for all (First Unitarian Church Choir - October 25). Tickets for all seats at these events will be offered at a variety of price levels. This structure allows patrons the flexibility to select the price level with which they feel most comfortable. Tickets sold at the higher end of the price range help subsidize those sold at other levels. After successfully using this price model for five events in the current season, the organization is expanding the program in the upcoming season. In addition, Music Worcester continues to offer all tickets free of fees, a practice they launched in 2025.

For Everett McCorvey's first residency concert of this season on November 1, he will lead The Worcester Chorus and WPI Festival Chorus in works from acclaimed American composers Duke Ellington and George Gershwin, singing selections from Porgy and Bess, and Rhapsody in Blue, plus an orchestral performance of Three Black Kings.  

Music Worcester Celebrates America's 250th on November 6 as McCorvey conducts The Soldiers' Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, Bridgewater State University Choral Society, the Worcester Children's Chorus and First Unitarian Church Choir in a program that includes Margaret Bond's Credo, and the final movement of Beethoven Symphony No. 9,  “Ode to Joy.”  

The American Spiritual Ensemble, founded and directed by Everett McCorvey, was a resounding success in its previous concerts on Music Worcester's schedules in 2024 and 2026. They return on January 27 to perform God's Trombones, Frank Waring's musical arrangement of James Weldon Johnson's anthology of seven Negro sermons in verse, as well as other spirituals from their repertoire.

THE COMPLETE BACH (TCB), Music Worcester's 11-year initiative to present the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach, continues with its third year. 

“Amazingly, we are nearly one-fifth of the way through THE COMPLETE BACH, and the energy and excitement for the project grows day by day,” declared Chris Shepard, Artistic Director of the project.  “This year brings another rich tapestry of Bach's works performed by a range of outstanding musicians from far and wide.”

The annual BACHoberfest Weekend (October 23–25) features five concerts, with flutist Emi Ferguson performing Bach's Flute Sonatas on Friday evening and pianist Boris Giltburg playing The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I on Saturday. Three different cantata concerts round out the weekend, with CONCORA singing BWV's 6, 39, 80 Saturday afternoon; First Church Unitarian Choir singing BWV 111 Sunday morning in a free service, and Sunday's performance by the BACHtoberfest Choir and the Hartford Chorale singing BWV's: 1, 18, 79, 192.

TCB programming continues with Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend (March 19–21), highlighted by violinist Vijay Gupta and the Darshan Trio performing a new arrangement of The Art of Fugue, and Canadian Brass playing Bach Reinventions. The weekend also includes an organ recital and a special late night concert with Adam Birnbaum Trio, who will perform jazz improvisations on Bach's Preludes. Cantatathon 2027 will feature local singers from All Saints Church, as well as an ensemble from Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges in Pennsylvania. 

THE COMPLETE BACH Year 3 also includes a 300th anniversary performance of the St. Matthew Passion on April 11, guest conducted by María Guinand with The Worcester Chorus, and Clavier-Übung III (German Organ Mass) performed by Mark Mummert and Wesley Hall on April 25.

The Worcester Chorus' annual performance of Handel's Messiah is December 5 featuring a return of soloists from the 2025 concert, and the Worcester Chorus Women's Ensemble's Holiday Concert is December 20. 

Pianist and composer Jason Moran presents The Music of Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings on January 8; Avi Avital & Les Violons du Roy perform works for mandolin and chamber orchestra by Bach, Vivaldi, and Scarlatti on March 13.

Founded in 1858, Music Worcester continues its long tradition of presenting internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles to Central Massachusetts, with programming that spans classical, jazz, global traditions, and dance. 

Music Worcester's education and community engagement initiatives include in-school workshops, masterclasses, and free and reduced-price ticket programs. This season, in addition to historic Mechanics Hall, Music Worcester will present concerts in The Hanover Theatre, JMAC's BrickBox, WAMS Works, Tuckerman Hall, Assumption University's Curtis Hall, Trinity Lutheran Church, First Unitarian Church, and Doherty Memorial High School.

In 2026–2027, Everett McCorvey continues his Artist-in-Residency, following past residents Simone Dinnerstein and Vijay Gupta, as part of the organization's biannual residency program focused on deep and lasting community connection. 

Season subscriptions are now on sale, with Choose Now and Choose Later packages available. Single event tickets will be available June 22. For tickets and full season details, visit musicworcester.org.

2026–2027 Season Schedule

The Knights & Emanuel Ax

Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 25
Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Emi Ferguson: Bach Flute Sonatas

BACHtoberfest Weekend
Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. – WAMS Works

CONCORA: Bach Cantatas

BACHtoberfest Weekend
Oct. 24, 4 p.m. – WAMS Works

Boris Giltburg — Bach Well-Tempered Clavier I

BACHtoberfest Weekend
Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. – Curtis Hall at Assumption University

First Unitarian Choir: Bach Cantatas

BACHtoberfest Weekend
Oct. 25, 10:15 a.m. – First Unitarian Church

BACHtoberfest Choir

BACHtoberfest Weekend
Oct. 25, 4 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Ellington & Gershwin

The Worcester Chorus, Everett McCorvey & Friends: Porgy & Bess in Concert and More
Nov. 1, 5 p.m. – The Hanover Theatre

America's 250th

Including the Soldiers Chorus
Nov. 6, 7 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Handel Messiah

Beloved Holiday Tradition
Dec. 5, 7 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Women's Ensemble Holiday Concert

Intimate and Festive
Dec. 20, 4 p.m. – Trinity Lutheran Church

Jason Moran

The Music of Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings
Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m. – Jean McDonough Arts Center

American Spiritual Ensemble: GOD'S TROMBONES

Everett McCorvey Conducts
Jan. 27, 7 p.m. – Doherty Memorial High School

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

Sibelius, Brahms & More
Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Ballet Hispánico New York — CARMEN.maquia

A New Dance Work Celebrating Bizet's Opera
Mar. 4, 7:30 p.m. – The Hanover Theatre*

Avi Avital & Violons du Roy

Mandolin & Chamber Orchestra
Mar. 13, 4 p.m. – Tuckerman Hall

Darshan Trio: THE ART OF FUGUE

Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend — Vijay Gupta with New Arrangement of Bach
Mar. 19, 7:30 p.m. – Curtis Hall at Assumption University

Bach Organ

Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend
Mar. 20, 4 p.m. – Trinity Lutheran Church

Canadian Brass: Bach Reinventions

Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend
Mar. 20, 7 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Adam Birnbaum Trio: BACH MEETS JAZZ

Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend — Table Seating with Hors d'oeuvres & Cash Bar
Mar. 20, 9 p.m. – Washburn Hall at Mechanics Hall

Cantatathon

Bach's Birthday Bash Weekend
Mar. 21, 4 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Bach ST. MATTHEW PASSION

The Worcester Chorus
Apr. 11, 4 p.m. – Mechanics Hall

Martha Graham Dance Company

Apr. 24, 7:30 p.m. – The Hanover Theatre*

Bach Clavier-Übung III

Apr. 25, 4 p.m. – Trinity Lutheran Church

Co-presentation with The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory

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