… a Johns Hopkins pharmacologist who was also an amateur violinist and totally dedicated to chamber music believed that Baltimore should have its own first-rate chamber music series. His name was Dr. Ernst Bueding, and the idea was not new for him: he had already successfully initiated series in both Ohio and Louisiana.
The plan to locate the new series at The Johns Hopkins University seemed natural. The original Chamber Music Committee was composed of Johns Hopkins professors, mostly in medicine, all of whom loved music. As Dr. Donald Brown wrote in 1965, “There has been an increasing awareness of the imbalance between the rapid growth of the natural and medical sciences and the relative stagnation of the humanities and the arts in our present society.
A proposal was drawn up that “ … the University could improve the environment of the campus with the development of special music programs.”
And so a chamber music series was born in Baltimore. The first five years were administered by the University through the Office of Special Events. Dr. Bueding was the first president and acknowledged founder. During the first few years, the concerts were divided into two series—'A' and 'B.' Artist fees (almost the only expense) were totally paid by ticket sales. The 1967-68 season sold every seat by subscription, bringing in an equal number of student and non-student subscribers.
After the first five years, the Series became an independent organization, no longer part of the University but very much a partner with it and still resident on the Homewood campus. Jeanne Feinberg was named Managing Director and served fifteen years. During this time, she, in collaboration with Dr. Bueding, did everything it took to run the series—balancing budgets, working-out schedules, developing audiences, and much more. She was a determined champion of the arts, dedicated not only to the music but also to the musicians. Jeanne took it upon herself to nurture the Series as a mother might care for her own family.
When now-world-renowned pianist Murray Perahia first played for the series in 1971, he was already a remarkable artist, yet still a boy. Jeanne and her husband Harry looked after him—good meals, a clean shirt, probably even tucked him into bed on-time. This kind of devotion and attention to detail is part of what made Shriver Hall Concert Series so special!
The list of artists who have performed for the Series on the Shiver Hall stage is most impressive—Rampal, Horszowski, Serkin, Beaux Arts Trio, Guarneri Quartet, Kronos Quartet. The list also includes many artists who were young and still developing when they first appeared here, such as Dawn Upshaw, Yumdi Li, Jacqueline Du Pre, and the Emerson Quartet to mention only a few. The repertoire presented has also been vast, including composers from Bach to Tan Dun, from pre-classical to the present.
Dr. Bueding served as president of the series until 1982, when he was succeeded by Dr. Albert I. Mendeloff, who had served as vice president for a number of years. Dr. Bueding remained as Chair of the Music Committee until his death in 1986. Under Dr. Mendeloff, the Series continued its tradition of presenting only the finest artists and music. It was not, however, until the last few years of his life that Shriver Hall Concert Series started to feel the need to develop an image and expand its visibility.
Dr. Bueding remained as Chair of the Music Committee until his death in 1986. Under Dr. Mendeloff, the Series continued its tradition of presenting only the finest artists and music. It was not, however, until the last few years of his life that Shriver Hall Concert Series started to feel the need to develop an image and expand its visibility.
The original excitement and “sell-out” attendance gradually dropped-off as times changed and costs increased.
Dr. Mendeloff's death in 1993 left the Board of Directors without leadership. Although the Board was populated by knowledgeable and dedicated members, there was no single person prepared to succeed the first two highly qualified chiefs. Therefore, almost by default, I became the third President of the Series. The first few years were spent building a new freshness of spirit. Susan Roth's charming caricatures of musicians became our logo and helped to lend an air of lightness and joy without threatening the integrity of the performances. An effort was started to build visibility for the Series, as well as to increase audiences and to build a reserve fund.
It wasn’t long before we had beautifully designed brochures and an informative season book, Prelude, which gave us wonderful artistic exposure. In 2003, the Series also developed a more professional exterior, moving out of our original cubby hole and crossing the Shriver Hall lobby into a spacious four-room office. We recruited a strong Board of Directors and loyal, enthusiastic volunteers. We have had a number of Directors since the start of the twenty-first century: Sel Kardan, a violist himself and a joy to work with, brought with him knowledge about music and greatly increased the professionalism of our leadership. In January 2006, David Baldwin succeeded Sel Kardan, taking over with a great deal of knowledge, training, and experience. He was not only a fine pianist, having graduated from Curtis Institute of Music, but also had an MBA degree and experience in international classical music management. At the Series, he worked in an office that was always busy and ran smoothly and competently thanks to our wonderful Office Manager Ed Meyers and our accountant Bobbi Pehr.
In December 2008, David returned to New York as Vice President of Opus 3 Artists, and our Series searched for and found another impressive Executive Director in Stephen Jacobsohn, who was then Manager of Artistic Administration of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, as well as a fine cellist. He took office with our Series in May 2009, with Ed Meyers now “Director of Operations.” Although we are still a small organization, we are proud of a wonderfully spirited and happy management team!
Shriver Hall Concert Series continues to become stronger in many ways. The new outreach and educational events, introduced in our 40th year, continue to be a tremendous success and are now a feature of each season. We may vary what we do and how we do it, but our goal remains to reach more and more people and to enrich more and more lives. Our annual subscription renewal rate continues at well over 90%, and the number of new subscribers increases each year. We are growing in a healthy way! Fundraising has resulted in a vigorous Annual Fund Campaign as well as the completion of the first $1,000,000 endowment and the launch of our new endowment for education and outreach. In addition to our eight named concerts*, we have the Albert I. Mendeloff Memorial Fund for Pre-Concert Lectures and The Reiko T. and Yuan Chuan Lee Fund for Outstanding String Performers. Our Series continues to be financially solid and positioned to welcome a long and healthy future.
As we enter our 2009-2010 season, in spite of difficult political and economic times in the world and the need to re-evaluate the scheduling of extra events, the excitement and joy of music have never been so strong as they are today at Shriver Hall Concert Series. We are fortunate to have many friends and supporters and such remarkable audiences! Through its evolution, the Series has changed neither its goals nor its ideals. The dignity and genuine love for music have not wavered. However, most importantly, we will maintain the high level of artistry, the drive to reach as many people as possible, and the search for new ways to touch ever-larger audiences with the art of music.
Shriver Hall Concert Series thanks sponsors
Maryland State Arts Council
Hecht-Levi Foundation
Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts