Enriching lives through great music

For over 40 years Rockport Music has been committed to one enduring purpose–enriching lives through great music. Located in the scenic seaport village of Rockport, Massachusetts, Rockport Music presents exceptional musical performances and events year round, including the acclaimed Rockport Chamber Music Festival, which hosts over 20 performances in five weeks during June and July each year. Rockport Music also presents classical, jazz, folk, pop, and world music, as well as a film series and HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and England’s National Theatre. Rockport Music was originally founded in 1981 as the Rockport Chamber Music Festival by soprano Lila Deis, pianist/composer David Alpher–both were artistic directors from 1981-1994–and local businessman Paul Sylva (learn more). David Deveau served as artistic director from 1995 to 2017. Starting in 2018, Artistic Director Barry Shiffman has led the chamber music festival and classical programming which has continued to grow the organization’s stature and reputation. In July 2008 the Board of Trustees voted to adopt the name Rockport Music to represent an expanding organization. In June 2010 Rockport Music celebrated the opening of the state-of-the-art Shalin Liu Performance Center, designed by lead architects Alan Joslin and Deborah Epstein of Epstein Joslin Architects and acoustician R. Lawrence Kirkegaard.

SUMMER OPEN HOUSES

Beginning Saturday, June 24, 2023 and continuing through Labor Day weekend, the Shalin Liu Performance Center will be open for viewing and hosted by our volunteer docents. The weekly schedule is:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 11am-12:30 PM

-subject to change, based upon availability regarding rehearsals, events, etc.


Mission Statement:  Rockport Music inspires a love and understanding of music through exceptional live performances and creative learning opportunities. 

About the Music

Rockport Music presents a wide variety of music and in chamber music, we have featured pianists Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Marc-André Hamelin, Lars Vogt and Garrick Ohlsson; the Brentano, Dover, Juilliard and St. Lawrence string quartets; the Boston, Eroica, and Trio con Brio Copenhagen piano trios; violinists Christian Tetzlaff, Midori and Ray Chen; and many other esteemed instrumentalists. Recent jazz, pop and folk concerts have featured Chris Botti, Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Ellis Marsalis, Phil Woods, The Manhattan Transfer, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega and GBH’s A Christmas Celtic Sojourn. Live recordings of the concerts are heard on 99.5 FM Classical New England and Performance Today on National Public Radio. Recent commissions include Mother’s Songs (Lei Liang), Dido Reimagined (Melinda Wagner), Granite Coast (Scott Wheeler), Song Without Words (David Alpher), and Adagio (Charles Wuorinen).

The Rockport Music Experience

Whether attending a classical, jazz, pop, folk or world music concert, you’ll always be up-close-and-personal with the artists in our intimate hall. Musicians love to perform here for just that reason! With 330 seats, every seat has a spectacular view of the stage. During intermission, enjoy a cocktail and refreshments while taking in the unparalleled view of the ocean from the third floor reception hall. In order to complete your Rockport Music experience, arrive early to enjoy the spectacular New England coastal town of Rockport, home of the famed Motif No.1. Stroll through quaint streets, browse local galleries and shops, and enjoy the many cafes and restaurant.

“It is the most beautiful hall in which I’ve ever performed…it is intimate and awe-inspiring. As a performer, it brings out a different inspiration for my music and performance.” —Wendy Chen, classical pianist (2012)

Education & Community Engagement

Educational enrichment programs reach nearly 9,000 students and adults each year and include school outreach programs, family and community concerts, lectures, and the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop for young musicians. Annual audiences exceed 29,000,. From free community concerts and in-school musician residency programs to lectures and masterclasses for adults, Rockport Music is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of music through accessible programs for people of all ages.

Awards and Distinctions

Best Concert Hall, Massachusetts, Yankee Magazine’s 2013 “Editors’ Choice”

Best Live Music Venue, Northshore Magazine’s BONS Award (10 consecutive years, 2011-2022)

Best New Music Performance, & Most Creative Programming, The Boston Globe’s “Best of 2011”

2011 Honor Award, for both the Shalin Liu Performance Center and Epstein Joslin Architects–The Boston Society of Architects

BOX OFFICE HOURS:
Tues-Fri, 10 AM-4 PM

PHOTO CREDITS:
Header: Robert Benson Photography
OTHER PHOTOS (in order): Michael Lutch, Marv Goldschmitt, Robert Benson and Sharron Cohen

Rockport Music is proudly supported by the
Massachusetts Cultural Council.