UUCB’s Casual Concerts aim to share the universal ministry of music and the power of sound with the broader Buffalo community. As we do in our services, these concerts showcase a diverse range of musical styles and sound-based experiences so that there is something for everyone. We hope these monthly offerings help lift our community’s spirits. Events generally occur every third Saturday of the month at 2pm, or at the specific days and times listed below. You can watch the shows in our sanctuary or stream them on our YouTube page. A free-will offering will be taken and proceeds are split between the musical presenters and the church.
If you wish to submit a proposal for our concert series, please contact Dr. Jessie Downs at jdowns@buffalouu.org. Please read our Casual Concerts FAQ for important information about our procedures.
Upcoming Concerts:
Ravi Padmanabha and David Mussen
Saturday, July 20th at 2pm
Ravi Padmanabha and David Mussen have played music for many years in various groups. The recently formed duo encompasses a new found musical language . The musicians have combined years of various musical styles into the duo. They use Gongs, crystal bowls, tabla, hand pan, clarinet, and ocean drum to create a full musical experience. They create a musical journey that traverses ambient meditation to ecstatic trance music.
Echezonachukwu Nduka, Resounding African Pianism
Saturday, August 17 at 2pm
Echezonachukwu Nduka is a Nigerian-born pianist and poet currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Nduka specializes in the classical piano music of composers from West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana. His program will include piano pieces by composers such as Akin Euba, Joshua Uzoigwe, J.H. Kwabena Nketia, Fred Onovwerosuoke, Christian Onyeji, Innocent Okechukwu, among others, and will include a brief talk of about 10-12 minutes as a way of introducing the pieces to the audience. Mr. Nduka looks forward to showcasing this rarely performed repertoire in classical music.
A piece from Resounding African Pianism, composed by J. H. Kwabena Nketia (Ghana), played by Echezonachukwu Nduka.
Blues on Weck
Saturday, September 21 at 2pm
Blues on Weck will be playing a one-hour set of electric Chicago-style blues covering works by legends such as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, BB King, and Buddy Guy. Their unique male/female vocal combination, incendiary dual lead guitar attack, Little Walter-sequence harmonica, and a groovin’ rhythm section make this a show not to be missed!
Simple Gifts
Saturday, November 16 at 2pm
According to Dr. James Hicks of The Presbyterian Church in Morristown NJ, “Simple Gifts presented one of the finest concerts I have ever experienced at our church, and I’ve been Music Director here for more than 25 years. They are so accomplished on so many diverse instruments, making it seem effortless.”
Simple Gifts has performed at major venues including the Smithsonian, National Portrait Gallery, National Interchurch Center, Bethel Woods, and Lincoln Theatre, as well as dozens of churches and schools. We play a wide variety of folk and world music using about 12 different instruments, and we also offer hands-on workshops for children and adults on world music and instruments. Our repertoire includes artfully arranged Christian hymns in addition to traditional music from Eastern Europe, the British Isles, Appalachia, Scandinavia, and the Jewish tradition.
http://simplegiftsmusic.com/videos.html – short concert sampler videos
http://simplegiftsmusic.com/listen.html – full-length audio samples
Carol-a-long with the UUCB Choir
Saturday, December 21 at 2pm
Young, old, experienced, and amateur singers are invited to join our carol-a-long. Sing holiday classics with our enthusiastic and experienced choir to capture the spirit of the season. Lyric books will be provided. Afterwards, stay around for cookies and warm beverages!
Dreams and Nightmares / Jonathan Vogtle - pianist
Saturday, January 18 at 2pm
Jonathan Vogtle is a collaborative pianist native to Rochester, New York. He received his Bachelor’s of Music in piano performance from Ithaca College under the tutelage of Dr. Jennifer Hayghe. He has worked as a music minister at several churches, including St. Paul’s of Webster, Caroline Center Church in Brooktondale, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, and St. Joseph’s of Penfield, where he currently serves. Major works he has covered include Vox Balaenae by George Crumb, Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25 by Johannes Brahms, and Sonata in B Minor by Franz Liszt. He served as the rehearsal and ensemble pianist for Opera Magnifico’s 2023 production of L’elisir d’amore. He is excited to have joined the Sotto Voce team for their 2023 relaunch, serving as pianist for both The Magic Flute and Suor Angelica.
Marino Duo
Saturday, February 15 at 2pm
The Marino Duo, husband-and-wife Andrew and Jessica Marino, has been captivating audiences with their guitar and piano performances since 2020. Their music spans classical, Latin, and contemporary styles, showcasing their versatility and depth.
Guitarist Andrew Marino has performed widely, including at The Walters Art Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral. His repertoire includes classical and contemporary works, earning him accolades such as prizes from the Appalachian State University’s GuitarFest Competition.
Pianist Jessica Marino brings her expertise in piano performance and pedagogy, having performed across the U.S. and Europe. Her collaborations include Carmina Burana with the Canterbury Choral Society in New York City. Together, their performances offer a rich and harmonious musical experience.
Behind the Scenes of Sotto Voce's Lucia di Lammermoor
Saturday, March 15 at 2pm
Join the cast of Sotto Voce’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti for a special sneak-preview of the show (Friday March 28th and Sunday, March 30th). Sotto Voce’s Founding Director and UUCB’s own Jessie Downs (the “mad” Lucia) and mezzo-soprano Beth White (her advisor, Alisa), local tenor Tyler Huk (her fatefully betrothed, Arturo) and bass Tim Flynn (Raimondo, her teacher) will be joined by NJ-based guest vocalists Jax Hassler (Edgardo, her lover) and Stephen Walley (Enrico, her manipulative brother) in a display of bel canto vocal strength and agility at its finest. Director Alex Huddleston will also share insights into Sotto Voce’s signature “opera nouveau” style and how it will manifest in this immersive and playful production that highlights the athleticism of the opera. (Friday, March 28th and Sunday, March 30th – Stay tuned to Sotto Voce’s website for details).
CAN-AM Trio
Saturday, April 26 at 2pm
The CAN-AM Trio was created in 2019 by oboists Geralyn Giovannetti of Utah and Sarah Hamilton from The State University of New York at Fredonia, and Anna Mattix, the English hornist with the Buffalo Philharmonic. Both Geralyn and Sarah are Canadian citizens and Anna is American, hence the name. As good friends and colleagues they share a long musical association and friendship and perform together to promote the rich musical tradition of trios written for two Oboes and English horn. This type of chamber music ensemble has been in existence since the 1800’s when Beethoven famously wrote two notable works for this combination. Since then, composers have delighted in the rich orchestral sound of this trio.
CAN-AM Trio performances include both historical and contemporary works, especially those written more recently by Canadian, American, and British composers. In 2021, the CAN-AM Trio was awarded a grant by the Canada Council for the Arts to commission, record and tour. The trio has presented recitals in both Canada and the US and premiered new works by composers, Elizabeth Raum, Shreya Ya, Ron Royer, and Rob Deemer. They will complete their first CD recording in the fall of 2023. They have performed throughout Canada and the United States and have recently been invited to perform at the conference of the International Double Reed Society.
Stephen Guerra and Ken Luk: Instrumental Brazilian Choro Duo
Saturday, May 17 at 2pm
6-string guitarist Stephen Guerra and 8-string bandolinist Ken Luk play vibrant Brazilian choro, a virtuosic and melodic instrumental music related to samba.
Italian American guitarist-composer STEPHEN GUERRA performs and teaches Brazilian choro around the world, often touring with legend Rogério Souza. Stephen’s published multiple albums and scores with Mel Bay, Guitar Chamber Music Press, and independently on Bandcamp and streaming platforms, including his album of originals recorded in Brazil, No Balanço do Choro-Samba (November 2023). Stephen teaches music theory and the choro ensemble at the University at Buffalo.
KEN LUK, born and raised in Hong Kong, frequently appears as a soloist and with the Janus Guitar Duo and Trio Ghidorah. He performs with Rosa Boemia, Forró Estrelas do Norte, Mosaic Foundation, the Eastman Gamelan Ensemble, and the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra. Performance highlights include Experiencing Villa-Lobos Festival, Live from Hochstein, Rochester Fringe Festival, The Great Blue Heron Festival, and Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, among others. Co-founder of Rochester Classical Guitar and the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra, Ken is also an avid arranger, and was a finalist in the 2017 Roland Dyens Arranging International Competition. He also serves on the board of the Classical Mandolin Society of America.
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