A series of lunchtime concerts was launched in April 2013 to encourage city workers and others to come into and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral during the day.
These half hour recitals on Wednesdays at 1pm provide fine music and space for contemplation in the midst of a busy week. Admission is by donation.
Upcoming Lunchtime Concerts
Our lunchtime concert series takes place at 1pm Wednesdays (unless indicated otherwise)
Thursday 2 May: Josh Hooke (piano)
Originally from country Victoria, Josh recently completed a PhD in Music Performance at the University of Melbourne, under the guidance of Professors Ian Holtham and Paul Kildea. He will perform two of Robert Schumann’s most popular piano works – the Arabeske, Op. 18, and Carnaval, Op. 9 – exploring this multifaceted genius from his most tender to his most heroic.
Wed 8 May: Colin Andrews (organ)
British concert organist and former faculty member of Indiana and East Carolina Universities in the US, Colin Andrews will perform the Variations de Concert, Op. 1, by Joseph Bonnet, Psalm-Prelude No. 3, Set 2, by Herbert Howells, his own arrangement of the Adagio cantabile from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 (‘Pathetique’), and the Communion and Sortie from Messiaen’s Messe de la Pentecôte.
Wed 15 May: MFC Vocal Classical Students
Thu 23 May: Angela Yin (oboe), Rhodri Clarke (piano), and Peter Neville (percussion)
Wed 29 May: Melbourne Conservatorium Chamber Choir
Supporting our artists
Whilst St Paul’s Cathedral is able to provide a venue, concert management, administrative support and advertising for our series of lunchtime concerts, we are not in a position to provide fees for artists – your donations provide these small gifts. If we cannot provide artists with at least a token of our appreciation, we will not be able to attract artists to perform for us. Rather than charge set prices for admission, we have decided to admit people by donation, so that those who could not otherwise afford to come are able to do so. We suggest a minimum donation of $10 per person and thank you for your generosity in helping to keep our lunchtime recitals running
Interested in performing?
If you are a skilled musician, either Melbourne-based or visiting, you are welcome to apply to perform a lunchtime concert, by contacting the Leading Musician Emma Warburton. As much notice as possible is beneficial, as the program is often filled six months in advance. We do not have an audience ‘on-tap’, and we are reliant upon performers to help build an audience, so audiences can range greatly in size depending on many factors, including the weather.
Please note that the 2024 Lunchtime Concert Series is fully booked, but general expressions of interest are welcome
Previous ‘Virtual’ Lunchtime Concerts
During the COVID-19 Lockdown in 2020, the Cathedral broadcasted regular Virtual Lunchtime Concerts in support of local and international artists and musicians. You can watch a selection of the previous Virtual Lunchtime Concerts here on Youtube.