Concert Director Richard Walker at Shrewsbury’s St Chad’s Church has announced details of what promises to be another exciting series of lunchtime concerts for 2026.

The free Friday lunch-hour concert series is one of the biggest in the country and resumes on 6 February, continuing every Friday (except 3 April) until Christmas. The admission-free concerts begin at 12.30pm, last around 40 minutes and there is a light lunch available after each concert in the church hall.

Concert Director Richard Walker said: “Our audiences come from a wide area to enjoy high quality music-making by performers of all ages. Many regard Friday at St Chad’s as the most enjoyable part of their week, where they meet old friends and make new ones.  Both the organ and the piano at St Chad’s are among the best for miles around, and excellent performers regularly ask us to give them a platform.

"A few of the highlights: there is lots of chamber music, including Schubert’s Trout Quintet (18 June), Holborne Brass (17 July), Dvorak’s Dumky Trio (20 November) and a return visit by Nova Saxophone Quartet (2 October).

"Amongst other recitals, there are 13 which will show off the varied colours of St Chad’s organ, including several given by organists from major cathedrals: Philip Rushforth (Chester), Nicholas Freestone (Worcester), Martin Brown (Bangor), Simon Hogan (Southwark), and Paul Carr (Birmingham).

The youngest performers will be pupils of Wrekin Prep, featuring those just setting out on their musical journeys.  This concert is always a lovely occasion – not least because the pupils are so enthusiastic about performing in public. Help us to encourage them with a large and enthusiastic audience on 13 February. As usual we are privileged to host four concerts by students of Chetham’s School of Music, when you can hear the professionals of the future free of charge at St Chad’s!  Their presentations will be 6 March, 8 May, 13 November and 4 December. And students of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will perform on 22 May and 6 November.

The year begins on 6 February with chamber music, including Brahms’ Trio for clarinet, cello and piano, one of the highlights of the repertoire”.

Details and weekly programmes for these concerts can be found on the St Chad’s Church website stchadschurchshrewsbury.com. All concerts are free of charge and there is lunch after each, with a collection taken to cover expenses.