Series History in Brief

Chamber music is alive and well in Baltimore! Since 1965 when Dr. Ernst Bueding and a dedicated group of Johns Hopkins faculty founded Shriver Hall Concert Series, well over 350 concerts have been presented to the Baltimore area community. During its 43-year history, the Series has never compromised its level of world-class excellence, bringing to its audiences a mix of well-established artists along with emerging young performers. A booklet documenting the amazing list of Series performers is published periodically and is available upon request.

Dr. Bueding and his colleagues had a deep passion for music and sought to share it at affordable prices with as many people as could be accommodated in the 1,118-seat hall built in 1953. As a result, artists such as Murray Perahia, Dawn Upshaw, the Emerson String Quartet, Richard Goode, and Jean-Pierre Rampal have received important support from Shriver Hall as their careers developed.

The SHCS operates as an independent non-profit organization governed by a Board of 24 Directors and is not affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University. The Series is run by the Executive Director, the Office Manager, and the Series accountant assisted by a group of dedicated volunteers. Officers elected by the Board constitute the Executive Committee, which meets monthly. Current officers are Jephta Drachman, President, Harriet Panitz, Vice President, Mary Ellen Robinson, Treasurer, and Sander Wise, Secretary.

The Series presents eight subscription and a number of non-subscription concerts each season. About 75% of Shriver Hall’s seats are held by subscribers. In addition, the Series presents its SHCS @ The BMA Discovery Series, a SHCS Residency, and an annual Lecture Series.

Shriver Hall is located on the Homewood campus of The Johns Hopkins University, providing easy access for area residents. The Sun music critic Tim Smith recently recognized Shriver Hall Concert Series as "Baltimore's finest importer of classical music talent" and Baltimore magazine voted SHCS “Best Concert Series.” It is certainly a cultural gem of enormous value to the community.

The Series is dedicated to maintaining the high level of artistry, the drive to reach as many people as possible, and the search for new ways to touch our audiences with the art of music. You are invited to join the excitement by attending the performances listed on this site.