A Farewell Message
Dear Pro Musica Rara patrons,
We hope you enjoyed the recent Pro Musica Rara concert and the memorable 2025–2026 season. For 50 years, PMR has been true to its mission, unique in the Baltimore music scene, of showcasing the performance of Baroque and Classical-era music played on period instruments.
However, after concluding our fiftieth year, the board members have decided it is time to bring Pro Musica Rara to a conclusion. During the last few seasons, after reemerging from the Covid shutdown, we have seen our audiences wane and our revenue drop. We had to cut back from four concerts per season to three. Our board can no longer do what is necessary to raise the funds needed to keep the organization growing and thriving.
Many of us can remember all the way back to when PMR was founded by harpsichordist Shirley Mathews, alongside Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians Joseph Turner (oboe), Phillip Kolker (bassoon), Timothy Day (flute), and Rob Roy McGregor (trumpet). Period keyboards in the early seasons were provided by instrument builder (and Shirley Mathews’ husband) Rod Regier. Subsequent artistic directors were the late cellist Allen Whear (from 2003–2022) and then Cynthia Roberts (from 2022–2026), an internationally acclaimed violinist. We have hosted celebrated artists both from Baltimore and around the world. The performances of these wonderful musicians are the legacy of Pro Musica Rara. We also thank our loyal patrons who have attended our concerts for years, as well as our generous donors who have provided the support necessary to produce PMR concerts. But all great organizations reach their ending point.
As a final reminder of the musical heritage of Pro Musica Rara, you might enjoy listening to this selection of audio highlights: a collection of PMR performances from the 2010s featuring the music of J. S. Bach, specially curated by former artistic director Allen Whear as the 2021 edition of “SuperBach Sunday.” You can hear the program on YouTube.
We at PMR hope that you will continue to support Baltimore’s early music scene, both the remaining ongoing organizations and the new groups that are sure to emerge in the seasons ahead. Thank you for making it possible for Pro Musica Rara to bring you fifty seasons of outstanding performances.
Members of the Pro Musica Rara board,
James M. Anthony
Marc Kahn
Sara Nichols
Robert Prince
Aaron Ziegel