We call it the Federal Hill Parlor Series, but more and more Baltimoreans are throwing open the doors of their homes to display local musical talent at its best. The main attraction here is music in your community.

Say “parlor” and you might picture a grand sitting room in a foreign country, or ladies in ruffles drinking tea. However, the Federal Hill Parlor Series is bringing you a musical party replete with hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and social interplay. This approach offers guests an inexpensive alternative to a traditional classical concert and eschews the formality and stuffiness of the concert hall.

Try one of our open houses held in galleries and restaurants around the neighborhood or host your own event. Hosts choose the date and time of the recital, and if they wish to become further involved in the artistic process, may also participate in choosing the musical program. With a wide diversity of performers, from violinists to DJs to harpists to guitarists, you are in for a thrilling musical experience. The Federal Hill Parlor Series is committed to bringing quality performances to the neighborhood level in Baltimore City.
  • SOBO Voice Article: Federal Hill Parlor Series
    We hear much these days about the need for enterprising young innovators, ready to start from scratch and create successful new ventures, especially regarding the supposed decline of classical music. While large, traditional institutions seem to be shuttering left and right, there are many musicians and supporters moving forward and finding ways to enjoy classical by thinking outside the box. Could it be that we have those elements right here in Baltimore City? Even in Federal Hill? Well, that is exactly what the Federal Hill Parlor Series is aiming to do by promoting Baltimore musicians and composers in innovative collaborations and interesting venues. By creating fresh perspectives on what a live musical experience can be, we are reinventing the way our guests relate to live performance.
  • Tim Smith Praises Federal Hill Parlor Series
    A ‘classical revolution’ is spreading in Baltimore Local ensembles are taking traditional music into non-traditional spaces October 19, 2012|By Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun
  • FHPS Event
    FHPS Event
    Community members enjoy mingling and meeting new friends at the Federal Hill Parlor Series.
  • Megan Ihnen performs Christian Carey's "He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven"
    Christian Carey (b. 1973) is a composer, performer, writer, and musicologist specializing in music theory, Postwar, and American music. He is Assistant Professor of Music Composition, History, and Theory at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. He is Editor of Chamber Musician Today, Blog Editor for Signal to Noise Magazine,and Managing Editor of the contemporary classical website Sequenza 21.
  • The Federal Hill Parlor Series featured on WYPR Maryland Morning
    Megan Ihnen and Tom Hall talk about the Federal Hill Parlor Series on WYPR's Maryland Morning starting around 22:00.
  • A Dickens Dinner
    One of the beloved traditions of the Federal Hill Parlor Series is the annual Dickens Dinners. The Federal Hill Parlor Series Quartet presents a dramatic reading of "A Christmas Carol" with festive songs and carols during a multiple course meal.
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    parlorlogo-2.jpg
  • A Whistle and Three Hundred Cries
    This video features one of the new pieces performed for "the enormity of small things" event. Lydia and Joseph perform Joshua Bornfield's "A Whistle and Three Hundred Cries."
  • FHPS presents: the enormity of small things
    FHPS presents: the enormity of small things
    For this event the Federal Hill Parlor Series featured Lydia Beasley, soprano, and Joseph Kneer, violin as well as three new compositions by local composers.
  • Federal Hill Parlor Series postcard
    Federal Hill Parlor Series postcard
    This postcard featured a picture of Megan Ihnen and Mark Edwards playing Fernando Sor's "Seguidillas" during the launch party.
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  • FHPS Event
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  • FHPS presents: the enormity of small things
  • Federal Hill Parlor Series postcard