Severance Music Center
America's Most Beautiful Concert Hall
Severance Music Center, home of The Cleveland Orchestra since 1931, is one of Cleveland’s most treasured landmarks and among the world's most admired concert halls. Located in University Circle, Severance was designed by the Cleveland firm Walker & Weeks and funded largely through a $1 million gift from John and Elisabeth Severance. The hall’s creation was the result of years of advocacy by Orchestra founder Adella Prentiss Hughes and the Musical Arts Association.
Today, Severance houses the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall, named in 2021 following a $50 million grant from the Mandel Foundation, as well as Reinberger Chamber Hall, an intimate space ideal for smaller ensembles, recitals, and lectures. The building is used year-round for concerts, rehearsals, and education programs, and is also available to community organizations for performances and private gatherings. A $36 million renovation completed in 2000 restored the hall’s original Art Deco details, improved patron amenities, modernized backstage areas, and preserved its legendary acoustics.
Recognized by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places, Severance Music Center is a symbol of Cleveland’s philanthropic spirit and commitment to the arts.
For a virtual tour of Severance Music Center and some deeper historical context, visit our interactive Google Arts & Culture page.
How to get here
Located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in University Circle, Severance Music Center is about four miles east of Downtown Cleveland, at the corner of Euclid Avenue and East Boulevard.
First time at Severance?
From what to wear to where to park — our First Timers' Guide has everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable time at Severance Music Center, home of The Cleveland Orchestra.
Lounge & Drink Options
Explore dining and drinks at Severance Music Center, with pre-concert snacks, cocktails, and local flavors to enhance your concert experience.
Seating Charts
Venue & Event Rentals
Design & History
The building’s architectural significance has been recognized by local and national preservation societies, including the Cleveland Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places, and Severance is a recipient of the Honor Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Designed by the Cleveland architectural firm Walker & Weeks, the building is named for John L. Severance and his wife, Elisabeth, who initially pledged $1 million for its construction. Elisabeth died unexpectedly early in the design process, and John Severance made additional contributions toward the building in her memory.
A $36-million restoration and expansion of Severance was completed in January 2000. The two-year Renovation Project was undertaken to restore the hall's original detailing, expand its patron amenities and services, retain and enhance its legendary acoustics, and to update its performance and support spaces to once again provide a state-of-the-art home for the Orchestra. The highest goal of the project, designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services of Washington D.C., was the preservation of Severance's acclaimed beauty and architectural integrity.
On September 30, 2021, it was announced that the main performance space would be named the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall, in recognition of the historic $50-million grant from the Cleveland-based Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation.
