Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Mission:

To present exciting, personal and interactive music experiences while enriching our community by fostering and supporting the performing arts.

About Us:

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is the oldest, continuous community music organization of its kind in the United States. Founded in 1884, MPAC has been providing residents of Northern Illinois with a wide variety of unique music experiences for over 130 years.

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center offers an exciting range of live music performances, Youth Music Programs, scholarships, outreach programs, master classes, and workshops, as well as providing a suitable venue to outside performing arts groups. The Mendelssohn PAC campus includes Mendelssohn Hall, the historic Emerson House, and the Starr Center. 

We offer an annual MainStage Concert Series of live performances by local, national, and international artists, Charlotte’s Web Series and a More Series--for those who just want more! Our Charlotte's Web Series features the best of local and national artists performing original music while serving eclectic music tastes including traditional and contemporary folk, blues, Jazz, Americana, world and more. Our More Series includes Music on Main, Jazz at Emerson, and Organ Music at Noon. The Music on Main Series features intimate, after-work, classical concerts by local and regional musicians, while the Jazz at Emerson Series is a cozy, Sunday afternoon shows devoted to jazz; both at the Emerson House! Organ Music at Noon is our free series on the last Friday of every month, showcasing music played on our grand MÓ§ler Pipe Organ in Mendelssohn Hall. Themes vary from month to month and singing is always allowed! 

Mendelssohn also has many Community Arts Partners who utilize our facility to enrich our community through the arts. On top of presenting exciting, personal and interactive music experiences, we also offer beautiful rental venues perfect for music, theatre and dance performances, weddings, receptions, showers, parties and meetings of all sizes.