AUDIENCE FAVORITE LUTENIST RONN McFARLANE AT THE MAINSTAY

The Acclaimed Lutenist Presents a Classical Music Series Concert

Rock Hall, MD

The Mainstay welcomes renowned Lutenist Ronn McFarlane on Sunday, November 15 at 4 PM for a Hedgelawn Classical Music Series concert in memory of Judy Kohl. McFarlane will present lute music by English, Italian, French, and German composers from the 16th and 17th centuries. The featured composers include John Dowland, Francesco da Milano, Hans Newsidler, Robert Ballard, and the most prolific composer of all time: Anonymous.

“This is a concert for everyone – especially those who love the beautiful sounds produced by the lute. Ronn McFarlane uses this magical instrument to bring the music of past centuries to life for modern audiences,” said Muphen Whitney, Classical Music Coordinator. “Hearing this extraordinary musician and his warm, ‘instrument of angels’ in the intimate setting of The Mainstay is a true treat for a Sunday afternoon.”

A Grammy-nominated lutenist, McFarlane was born in West Virginia and grew up in Maryland. He graduated with honors from Shenandoah Conservatory and studied guitar at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. For the past four-plus decades McFarlane has devoted his musical life to the lute — the most prolific and popular instrument of the Renaissance – and its music.

McFarlane served as a faculty member at Peabody from 1984 to 1995, teaching lute and lute-related subjects. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory for his achievements in increasing awareness and popularity of the lute and its music throughout the world. His numerous recordings include solo albums, lute duets, duets for lute and flute, lute songs, Antonio Vivaldi’s complete lute music, a collection of Elizabethan lute music and poetry, and recordings with the Baltimore Consort.

What the critics say:

“…some of the most ravishing lute playing to be heard anywhere”
Washington Times

“{McFarlane is] the finest living exponent of his instrument”
The Times Colonist, Victoria, B.C.

Please see all Concert Information on the following page.

This concert is part of the Hedgelawn Classical Music Series at The Mainstay in honor of Judy Kohl.

Concert Information
Location: The Mainstay, 5753 North Main Street, Rock Hall, Maryland.
Date and Time: Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 4 PM.
Tickets are $15.00 (plus $1.30 fee) in advance at mainstayrockhall.org (scroll down to and click on November 15 – Ronn McFarlane) or at www.instantseats.com (search on Ronn McFarlane).

Tickets ($20 each) may be available the day of the performance. Call (410) 639-9133.

A bar (cash or credit card) is available for cocktails, wine, beer, soft drinks, and snacks before the performance and at Intermission.

This concert is part of the Hedgelawn Classical Music Series at The Mainstayin honor of Judy Kohl.