Shalin Liu Performance Center
Located at 37 Main Street Rockport, MA 01966
* We now serve wine and beer on the third floor Reception Hall with a selection of food, including small sandwiches, cakes, muffins, nuts and other items. Bar opens one hour prior to performances and during intermission.
Experience the view at the Shalin Liu Performance Center!
Saturdays, starting June 11 and continuing through mid-October: docents will conduct free tours every 15 minutes from 12:30-2:00 as rehearsal schedule allows. Tuesday/Fridays, starting June 14 and through at least Labor Day: only the performance hall will be open for viewing and photographs. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and provide information/brochures. All dates are subject to change.
Imagine…
listening to world-renowned artists performing in an intimate concert hall overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The beauty of the setting, the rich and lively sound of the hall, and the close relationship between audience and performers become an essential part of the concert experience.
Imagine…
a broad array of exceptional performances and events year-round, from the nationally recognized Rockport Chamber Music Festival, to jazz, pop and world music – and films, lectures and high-definition simulcasts.
A New Home for Rockport Music and the Rockport Chamber Music Festival
On June 10, 2010, Rockport Music opened the doors to the Shalin Liu Performance Center. We believe this extraordinary building – with its spectacular views and superb acoustics – has become an important cultural resource for the greater Boston community, attracting well-known performers, audiences, and visitors to Cape Ann.
The performance center, designed to showcase chamber music, is the home of Rockport Music’s signature presentation, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, which includes over 20 concerts, as well as pre-concert lectures, open rehearsals, and free events for families. To appeal to a broad range of tastes, the center also hosts a new and diverse series of classical, jazz, folk, world and pop music concerts; HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and England’s National Theatre; and a series a classic and independent films.
An Elegant Building Where All Are Welcome
The exuberant and festive design of the new performance center honors its historic Rockport setting, but incorporates state-of-the art amenities, including:
- An air-conditioned concert hall with extraordinary acoustics and comfortable seating for 330 people
- Professional quality audio-visual equipment for the presentation of film and live HD broadcasts
- Oceanfront reception space on the third floor, with stunning views of the coastline, for educational, social, civic and corporate events (catering kitchen available for use)
- Full ADA accessibility
A Community Resource
As a unique regional venue, the Shalin Liu Performance Center offers opportunities to local educational, arts, business, and civic groups. Events include:
- Performance, rehearsal, and educational programs for local public schools and community groups
- Public meetings and lectures
- Small-scale choral, theatrical, and dance performances
- Social and business events
The Design Team
The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a collaboration between lead architects Alan Joslin and Deborah Epstein (Epstein Joslin Architects, Cambridge, MA) and internationally known acoustician R. Lawrence Kirkegaard (Kirkegaard Associates, Chicago, IL). Joslin and Kirkegaard have worked together on performing arts venues for over 20 years, beginning with the design of Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
“I have had the great pleasure of witnessing an inspired collective vision that sees the importance of classical music and musical creativity as vital to the enrichment of the human spirit, and recognizes a responsibility to keep this alive not only through performances of the highest standards, but also through education, whether that be in the schools or through adult lifelong learning. May the new building articulate these beliefs and show the respect Rockport Music has for the region that has helped nurtured its success.” — Alan Joslin, Principal-in-Charge, Epstein Joslin Architects
To learn about the design and construction of the hall’s interior, please click here.
The Campaign for Rockport Music
Help Put Us Over the Top!
How You Can Become a Part of the
Shalin Liu Performance Center
The campaign for the new performance center has a total project goal of $20M. As of March 2011, gifts and pledges of over $17.5M have been raised from more than 450 generous and visionary donors. But we need your help to complete this extraordinary project. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Please imagine the possibilities for yourself and contact Sara Young, Development Officer, at 978.546.7391, ext. 106 or syoung@rockportmusic.org to make a contribution or for more information on how you can help.
Click here to learn about our Seat Naming Campaign and how you or your family can leave a lasting legacy in the new performance center.
“I can think of few community efforts on Cape Ann (or anywhere in the state) more worthy of my support at this point. For the cultural dollar this year, you folks are hands down the winner. Onward!”
-Campaign Donor
