Community Concerts at Second, Inc.

09/14/2026

Join us for our next concert with our very own musicians of the Baltimore Symphony!

From string quartet by Shostakovich, to a duo concerto by Edgar Meyer and piano Quintet by Dvořák- this is not a concert you want to miss!

As always, all of our concerts are completely FREE and no reservation required.
We hope to see you there!

📅 September 27th, 2026, 3:30pm
🎟️ FREE, no reservation is required
📍 Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218
🌐 For more info: https://cc2nd.org

Community Concerts at Second is a free concert series presented at Second Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.

09/09/2026

As part of our 40th Anniversary celebration, we are spotlighting 40 moments that shaped our organization! Originally named “The Second Presbyterian Concert Series,” the concerts were founded in 1987 by the then organist of Second Presbyterian Church, Margaret Budd, with the enthusiastic support of the congregation. ​The organization was renamed Community Concerts at Second in 2002, and became a separate entity and non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization in 2004.

Second Presbyterian Church continues its steadfast support by making its facilities available for concerts, and being the physical ‘home’ of the organization.

Indeed, when Margaret Budd retired from her position as Second Pres organist in 2007, she had some parting words and that we are delighted to share:

"What a joy and realization of dreams Community Concerts at Second has become, thanks to the volunteer leadership and efforts of so many! None of it would have been possible without the thousands of loyal music lovers who have
attended and supported the concerts these past twenty years."

Her note also thanked what she called the Catalysts for the series:

"Gifts of the Casavant Pipe Organ from the Graggs in 1980 and, Grace Gragg’s gift of the Steinway B in memory of her husband, Williford, in 1986. These two beautiful instruments begged to be shared with the greater community.
Russell Wonderlic’s bequest of $100,000 which launched not only our Annual Youth Festival but also the Russell C. Wonderlic Memorial Competition (piano and voice in alternate years). The first winner was Awadagin Pratt in 1990.
Other generous benefactors, such as Clementine Peterson.
A congregation that enthusiastically encouraged such a “music ministry.” We remain ever grateful to Second Presbyterian Church for the use of their stunning sanctuary and their continued support, even though we are now a separate entity."

09/06/2026

We hope to see many of you at today's concert (Vijay Gupta, violin & Dominic Cheli, piano at 3:30pm), but if you can't attend in-person please consider enjoying the livestream on YouTube:

SEP 6, 2026 AT 3:30PMVIJAY GUPTA, VIOLINDOMINIC CHELI, PIANOSpon...

08/31/2026

Proofs of our Sonata program book looking great! Can't wait to see you all at this Sunday's concert.

08/31/2026

📣 CC2nd Artist Spotlight on pianist Dominic Cheli, performing with Violinist Vijay Gupta on Sep 6.

“Spontaneous yet perfect, the best of how a young person can play.” (Symphony Magazine).

Dominic Cheli () embraces the role of an artist-citizen in his multifaceted career as performer, educator, composer, and business developer.
His rapidly advancing career included his Walt Disney Concert Hall Debut with the Colburn Orchestra where Dominic was “mesmerizing, transfixed the audience.” (LA Times). He gave his Carnegie Hall Recital Debut in 2019 and has had a busy performing and recording career ever since.

Committed to engaging with his surrounding community, Dominic regularly performs and brings
curated programs/educational residencies to schools and retirement homes.

🎬 For a sneak peek, watch his arrangement of Vitali's Chaconne in G minor for solo piano- we can't wait to hear it live with on the upcoming concert with Vijay Gupta:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj9448-wtd4

We'll see you there!

📅 September 6th, 2026, 3:30pm
🎟️ All of our concerts are FREE and no reservation is required
📍 Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218
🌐 For more info: https://cc2nd.org

For the downloadable score, please visit the link below!https://do...

08/26/2026

📣 CC2nd Artist Spotlight on Vijay Gupta, performing with pianist Dominic Cheli on Sep 6.

“One of the most radical thinkers in the unradical world of American classical music.” -- The New Yorker

Vijay Gupta () is a Grammy-nominated violinist, speaker, and writer whose work weaves together music, neuroscience, and lived experience to explore how people learn, adapt, and find meaning under pressure.

Recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2018, Gupta is the youngest-ever member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, having been appointed to the orchestra at the mind-boggling age of 19. In addition to his solo and chamber work, Gupta is a founding member of the Darshan Piano Trio and collaborates widely with artists across disciplines.

Off-stage, he is the founder and Artistic Director of Street Symphony--a nonprofit bringing music into shelters, clinics, jails, and reentry spaces across Los Angeles.

As a speaker, Gupta's TED Talks have reached millions of viewers worldwide leading to him being included in Time magazine's 2019 "TIME 100 Next" list.

His memoir, _Restrung_, was published in June 2026 and will be available to purchase* by local Baltimore bookseller .
We note that Mr. Gupta is donating all proceeds from the first year of his book sales to support Street Symphony programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGGFHeZY5uM

Gupta will be performing with pianist Dominic Cheli on the opening concert of CC2nd's new season:
📅 September 6th, 2026, 3:30pm
🎟️ All of our concerts are FREE and no reservation is required
📍 Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218
🌐 For more info: https://cc2nd.org

"There's a crack in everything - that's how the light gets in."***...

08/22/2026

In just a few weeks, violinist Vijay Gupta and pianist Dominic Cheli open our 40th Anniversary season with a concert featuring a program ranging over three centuries-
From Vitali's Dramtic Chaconne, to Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 3, Korngold's selections from Much Ado About Nothing, and contemporary works by Reena Esmail.

We'll see you there!

🎟️ All of our concerts are FREE and no reservation is required
📍 Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218
🌐 For more info: https://cc2nd.org/

07/22/2026

🎉🎻 **WELCOME TO OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SEASON!** 🎹🎺
In 1987, Second Presbyterian Church organist Margaret Budd had a radical, visionary idea: to establish a concert series that would present world-class musicians in concerts that would be forever free to the public. That idea took root, and 40 years later we continue to honor and build on her legacy.

CC2nd's celebratory 40th Anniversary Season features an extraordinary lineup of soloists and ensembles who embody the "Visionary" spirit through their artistry, innovation, and advocacy.

As always, every concert is FREE, and no tickets or reservations are required. As always, the series is hosted by our wonderful partners at Second Presbyterian Church !!

****SEASON AT A GLANCE****

**Sep 6, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Gupta, violin
& Dominic Cheli, piano

**Sep 27, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony

**Oct 4, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Brandon Woody's UPENDO
Jazz quartet

**Oct 25, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Awadagin Pratt, piano

**Nov 22, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Marina Piccinini, flute
Justin Taylor, harpsichord

**Nov 29, 2026 | 3:30pm**
Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony

**Jan 24, 2027 | 3:30pm**
Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony

**Feb 21, 2027 | 3:30pm**
Morgan State University Choir

**Mar 14, 2027 | 3:30pm**
Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony

**Apr 11, 2027 | 3:30pm**
Axiom Brass: *Love, Mystery, and Despair*

**May 16, 2027 | 3:30pm**
40th Anniversary Celebration Concert
Cyrus Chestnut, piano
Alon Goldstein, piano
Baltimore Symphony Musicians

**Jun 6, 2027 | 3:30pm**
Ana Vidovic, guitar

Visit **CC2nd.org** for complete programs and artist information.

Help us celebrate 40 years of **Music for All, Free to All**!!! 🎶

06/07/2026

Here is a livestream link for those who cannot attend this afternoon's concert (Rachel Lee Priday, violin) in-person:
🤩

June 7, 2026 at 3:30pmRachel Lee Priday, violinSponsored by the c...

05/31/2026

A link to the livestream of today's concert Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony - 5/31/26 for those who cannot attend in-person:

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026 | 3:30PMMUSICIANS OF THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONYPROGRAMALYSSA MORRIS: Coastal KaleidoscopeMarcia McHugh, flute; Melissa Hooper, oboe; Lura Jo...