Lunchtime Concerts every Friday 12.30-1.15pm
Raising funds for our 206-year-old Grade II listed building
£5 suggested donation on the door - cash or card
Tea, coffee & biscuits available in the church hall from 12 noon by donation
Our Friday lunchtime concerts are diverse - mostly classical but also contemporary, North Indian classical, jazz and folk, with many showing off our beautiful Steinway piano.
The performers are a mixture of top local talent and touring musicians from across the globe. These affordable concerts are the perfect way to spend your Friday lunchtimes, enjoying a rich variety of music within the reverberant walls of our beautiful Grade II listed church, with your donations helping us to maintain our welcoming sacred space in the cultural heart of the city.
Enjoy a hot drink before the concert starts, browse our home-made and repurposed cards which are sold to raise funds for the church, and get to know your fellow concert-goers.
Wheelchair accessible venue.
Everyone welcome.
Listings: July-November 2026
Leaflets covering 2-3 months of our concert listings are available at the church and can be found at various other venues and community buildings in and around the city.
To receive updates by email about our Friday lunchtime concerts, including changes to performers, dates, times or programmes, plus occasionally other performances or events which may be of interest to you, please email buc@brightonunitarian.org.uk and ask to be added to our lunchtime concert email list. These emails are usually sent out no more than 5-6 times per year
You can unsubscribe from this list at any time and your details will not be used for any purpose other than to keep you up to date with our concerts and other performances here at Brighton Unitarian Church.
If you are interested in applying to perform in our Friday lunchtime concert series, please contact Cat Stead, Church Administrator/Venue Manager, email: buc@brightonunitarian.org.uk or telephone (01273) 696022.
10 July
The Fabler Trio: Ellie Blackshaw (violin/viola), Linda Atkinson (clarinet), Rachel Fryer (piano) will perform a varied programme including Stravinsky’s arrangement of his famous ‘Soldier’s Tale’ for violin, clarinet and piano, alongside music by Milhaud and Copley
17 July
Much-loved Brighton pianist John Bruzon presents a varied and enjoyable programme of music by Chopin and Liszt, showcasing his expressive interpretation of these Romantic masters.
24 July
Alex Bondonno/Joss Peach Jazz Duo: Lyrical and uplifting jazz from these regulars of the Brighton Jazz scene. Saxophonist Alex Bondonno returns with Joss Peach on piano, playing jazz standards from Abdullah Ibrahim, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk and many more, as well as a smattering of unexpected tunes (Soundgarden anyone?). This eclectic duo are always a hit, so come early to get a good spot!
31 July
BUC regular, Nick Andrews (piano) is joined by his old friend Matthew Wood (baritone) for a glorious lunchtime of Baroque music. They will close the concert with JS Bach's wonderful solo cantata "Ich Habe Genug". There'll be some Handel too.
NO FRIDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS IN AUGUST
4 September
Michiko Shimanuki and Sasha Valeri Millwood present music for four hands at one piano composed from 1888 to the 21st century, including the Piano Duet No.2 by Brighton-based composer Barry Mills, plus works by Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Janet Davey, Claude Debussy, Thea Musgrave, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Michiko Shimanuki.
11 September
The highly experienced chamber musicians of the Mordkovitch Trio: violinist Katherine Wilson, cellist Jennifer Janse and pianist Ilana Mordkovitch-Roos perform Debussy’s youthful, exuberant and highly melodic trio in G major, plus movements from Dvořák’s Bohemian masterpiece the ‘Dumky’ trio.
18 September
A solo piano recital by Bolivian pianist José Navarro Silberstein whose deep passion for literature, visual arts and electronic music shape and inspire his approach to performance and interpretation.
25 September
Brighton-based musicians Sophia Bartlette (violin) and Emre Öztek (piano) launch their new recital partnership with a programme celebrating the richness and elegance of French music. The recital features works by Lili Boulanger, Cécile Chaminade and Maurice Ravel, culminating in César Franck’s celebrated Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano.
2 October
Paul Richards (Latin guitar) will be performing the classical guitar music of South America and Spain.
“A gem on the stage. Paul Richards beautifully updated the Laurindo Almeida nylon-string Brazilian Guitar style.” Jazz Wise Magazine
9 October
The popular Brighton-based Kelleth Piano Trio: Rachel Ellis (violin), Siriol Hugh-Jones (cello) and Stephen Carroll-Turner (piano) perform chamber music by Arvo Pärt and Mozart.
16 October
Experience 45 minutes of vibrant colour and irresistible energy with the LIPS Wind Quintet. Join us for a concert that celebrates brilliance, intimacy, and the sheer joy of live chamber music.
23 October
Making his BUC debut, concert pianist and educator Shubhan Iyer presents “Variations”: a distinctive programme exploring music from different periods, linked by the evolution of the famous variations genre.
30 October
"Music in the Zen zone": utilising a rare combination of instruments and styles Shindo: Geoff Hearn (Shakahuchi flute), Nigel Thomas (acoustic bass) and Hugh Bance (slide guitar) take us on a dynamic meditative journey into an imagined sonic landscape, blending Japanese and Indian inspired music to create modern digital soundscapes and orchestral vistas.
6 November
Romanian pianist Cristiana Achim celebrates Romanian folklore, Romantic masterpieces, original compositions and American jazz in today’s performance. Featuring music by Liszt, Robert Schumann and Gershwin alongside Cristiana’s own works, the recital combines lyrical storytelling, rich colour and dazzling virtuosity.
13 November
Lucy Mair (soprano) and Helen Ridout (piano) present a varied programme of music for the lengthening nights. From fragrant night-time gardens to longing for sleep, including works by Fauré and Gurney.
20 November
Mark Wallace (piano) returns to perform jazz classics from the American Songbook, featuring the music ofGershwin, Porter, Duke Ellington and Fats Waller.
27 November
A solo piano recital by Michiko Shimanuki of music by Haydn, John Hawkins and Tchaikovsky, plus world premières by Barry Mills and Michiko Shimanuki.
If you are interested in applying to perform in our Friday lunchtime concert series, please contact Cat Stead, Church Administrator/Venue Manager, email: buc@brightonunitarian.org.uk or telephone (01273) 696022.
Please note that these get booked up a year in advance...