Manchester Essex Regional High School
Manchester Essex Regional High School sits on Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, serving the towns of Manchester and Essex. Its 500-seat auditorium is one of the orchestra’s two primary venues for full-orchestra concerts.
The current building was completed in summer 2009 as part of a $49 million regional middle/high school project approved jointly by Essex and Manchester voters. The school traces its roots to 1874, when Manchester opened a high school in an existing building on Bennett Street — later named for longtime School Committee member Dr. Asa Story.
The auditorium was designed for performance from the start. The hall’s contemporary architecture supports the full dynamic range of the orchestra — from quiet string passages to full-ensemble crescendos — with clarity. The school’s own band and chorus programs (the latter under Donna O’Neill, with the Sound Waves ensemble that has performed at the North Shore Music Theater and Boston University) make heavy use of the room.
Driving directions
Driving Directions from the South to Manchester-Essex Regional High School
Destination: 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA 01944
From Boston Area (I-95/Route 1 North):
- Take I-95 North for approximately 25-30 miles
- Take Exit 15 for Route 128 North toward Gloucester/Peabody
- Follow Route 128 North for about 10 miles
- Take Exit 15 for School Street toward Manchester-By-The-Sea
- Turn right onto School Street (east)
- Follow School Street for approximately 1.5 miles
- Turn left onto Lincoln Street
- The school will be on your right at 36 Lincoln Street
From Route 1 North (Alternative):
- Take Route 1 North to I-95 North
- Follow I-95 North to Route 128 North (Exit 15)
- Follow directions above from Route 128 North
From I-93 North:
- Take I-93 North to I-95 North/Route 128 North
- Follow Route 128 North to Exit 15 (School Street/Manchester-By-The-Sea)
- Follow directions above from School Street exit
From Route 1A North (Coastal Route):
- Take Route 1A North through Lynn and Swampscott
- Continue on Route 1A North through Marblehead
- Follow Route 1A as it becomes Route 127 North
- Continue on Route 127 North through Beverly
- Turn right onto School Street in Manchester-By-The-Sea
- Follow School Street to Lincoln Street and turn left
- School will be on your right at 36 Lincoln Street
Key Landmarks:
- The school is part of a campus that includes both the middle school and high school in one building
- Manchester Memorial Elementary School is located nearby at 43 Lincoln Street
- The school is situated in the heart of Manchester-By-The-Sea
Notes
- Parking is available on the school campus
Every venue, fully accessible.
All five venues have wheelchair seating and step-free access. If you need help planning a visit — companion seating, a specific section, or accessible parking — call the box office at (978) 281-0543 and we'll make arrangements ahead of the concert.
Concerts often sell out, so we recommend reserving your spot early in the season. If you'd like a quieter seat or a particular vantage point, just say so when you call — every seat is unreserved by section, and we're happy to help.
See you in the hall.
Browse the season to find what's playing where — or get in touch if you have questions about a particular space.