Broadway, TV Star Lauren Ambrose Kicks Off Great Hall Concert Series September 19

Broadway and TV Star Lauren Ambrose, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, Female Classical Quintet Seraph Brass, and Jazz Luminary Adrian Galante Headline the 2026-2027 Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series.

Early, No-Fee Subscriptions Will Guarantee a Seat at Sure-To-Be Sold-Out Shows.

The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series, renowned for its world-class musical performances in a historic and convenient suburban setting, has just announced its 13th season. Performances will all take place at 7:30 pm at the Needham Town Hall.

Emmy, Tony and Grammy-nominee Lauren Ambrose opens the season, followed by Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, one of the most acclaimed pop groups of the 1960s. In the spring, the all-female quintet Seraph Brass showcases the excellence of women musicians. The season wraps up with jazz and American Songbook phenom Adrian Galante. This season continues the history of presenting esteemed musicians that have included Judy Collins, Tom Rush, David Bromberg, Grace Kelly, Orleans, Canadian Brass, and the Boston Symphony Chamber Players.

“Our audiences have trusted us, for well over a decade now, to bring truly exceptional performers to Needham,” said Great Hall Performance Foundation Co-President Michael Greis. “It’s such a pleasure for music lovers from our area to make the short trip to Needham Center and enjoy live music in a beautiful setting. And our mission to support the Needham Public Schools Fine and Performing Arts program with our annual donation is immensely gratifying to us, our sponsors and our loyal audience.”

The 2026-2027 Great Hall Concert Series season features:

An Evening with Lauren Ambrose, September 19, 2026 – Possessing a powerful soprano that spans genres with a gift for dramatic truth, Lauren Ambrose moves seamlessly between Broadway stages, film, and television. A multiple Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-nominated actress and singer, she is widely recognized as one of the most versatile artists in the industry. Her celebrated portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of My Fair Lady earned her an Outer Critics Circle Award. Ambrose will be accompanied by her friend and collaborator, Grammy-nominated pianist, singer, and songwriter, Matt Cusson for a night of song and stories with some special guests!

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, November 21, 2026 – At the age of fifteen, Noone achieved international fame as Herman, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included: “I’m Into Something Good”, “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, “There’s A Kind of Hush”, and “Dandy” among many others. Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over sixty million recordings. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold. Accompanied by his band, Noone currently performs over 200 concerts a year, consistently playing to sold-out venues and admirers that span the generations. (More at peternoone.com).

Seraph Brass, March 13, 2027 – Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, Seraph Brass was founded by trumpet virtuoso Mary Elizabeth Bowden. This all-female quintet is a showcase for the excellence of women brass players that has been praised for its “beautiful sounds” (American Record Guide), and “staggeringly high caliber of performance” (Textura). Seraph Brass is passionate about performing a diverse body of repertoire, ranging from original transcriptions to newly-commissioned works and core classics. (More at seraphbrass.com).

Adrian Galante, May 1, 2027 – Following a recent appearance at New York’s Birdland, reviewer Andrew Portez described Adrian Galante as “an extraordinary musician” whose “exquisite lyrical playing created an emotionally satisfying performance close to one of the best sets this reviewer has heard in years”. Hailing from Australia, a trip to the US at a young age ignited a love for jazz and the American Songbook. Of Galante’s style, music critic Will Friedwald notes, “He’s one of the few very young musicians … [that] really gets what the songs are about … ” This performance promises the opportunity to experience a gifted musician at the beginning of what will clearly be a remarkable career. (More at adriangalante.com).

Sponsors who make the Great Hall Concert Series possible include name sponsor, Needham Bank, and Louise Condon Realty, Inc., Plum Street Advisors, and NEC Solar.  

Because performances often sell out, the series organizers are encouraging long-time subscribers and new fans to purchase season subscriptions now to guarantee seats for all four of these outstanding events. As an added benefit, there are no ticket processing fees for season subscribers. Tickets to individual concerts will be available later in the summer. To make a purchase, go to greathallperformance.org or call 781-355-6076.