LATEST HCS NEWS:-Next concert: June 8th 2013, Holmfirth PARISH CHURCH, 7.15pm - Coronation Music (a selection of truly excellent and exciting music, ancient and modern, which has been composed and performed in honour of various monarchs)
Click here for latest MEMBER INFORMATION (incl. rehearsal schedules and weather status)
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Holmfirth Parish Church |
Rehearsals are normally held on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.15pm in HOLMFIRTH METHODIST CHURCH (click for map), Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth.
We usually have a break from rehearsals from mid-July to late August or early Sept. and often skip a rehearsal at bank holiday times (please check). If coming by car to rehearsals, the large 'Crown Bottom' public car park (near the Co-op supermarket) adjoins the Methodist Church (Reheasal venue pictured below).
Founded in the 1930s, the Society performs several concerts each year in Holmfirth Civic Hall (including Handel's "Messiah" every 12/18 months).
Additional performances are also sometimes given in St. Paul's Hall, Huddersfield, Huddersfield Town Hall and other venues throughout the area.
There are at present about 90 singing members. This record number is a tribute to our excellent former conductor, Ken Rothery, and to Dr Geoffrey Lockwood (now our Musical Director and previously for many years our accompanist). We were saddened by Ken's decision to retire, but we gave him a good send-off at a very well attended social event in April 2009 are delighted that Geoffrey Lockwood has agreed to take over from Ken.
Our performances in recent years include Orff's "Carmina Burana";Vivaldi's "Gloria", Haydn's "Creation" and various masses, Bach's "Magnificat", "St John Passion" and parts of his "Christmas Oratorio"; Brahms' "German Requiem", Rossini's "Petite Messe Solennelle"; Mozart's "Requiem"; Handel's oratorios "Joshua", "Samson" and "Saul"; Gounod's "St Cecilia Mass"; Faure's Requiem, Mendelssohn's "Elijah"; works by Vierne, Brahms, Rutter, Hummel, Beethoven, Vaughan Williams and concert versions of various operas.... (the list is almost endless - but nothing yet by Karl Jenkins).
We have combined, very successfully, on many occasions with Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra (most recently in June 2009 when we took part in an excellent performance of Carmina Burana, supplemented by singers from several other excellent choirs including Sheffield Oratorio Chorus and Colne Valley MVC).
In the summer months, we often perform programmes of a 'lighter' nature and we are asked to sing in charity concerts (etc.) at various times..
We are continually gaining excellent new members of all ages, many of whom initially made contact via the internet following visits to this website - so if you are interested in singing with us please don't hesitate to make contact. The usual procedure is to come along and rehearse with us a few times on Thursday evenings before making up your mind whether you want to join. There is normally no formal audition and the membership fee is very modest (we don't want to deter potential members). One proviso: at the moment we have an unusually large (and very high-quality) alto section, so that we are particularly seeking other parts (especially sopranos and tenors) in order to maintain the correct balance. A related problem is the limited capacity of the stage at our normal performance venue, Holmfirth Civic Hall (one day it is possible that the number of people wanting to sing - especially altos - will exceed the choir seating capacity; this hasn't yet happened and it may never happen as our excellent Concert Manager, Alan, has always managed to fit everyone in - but it's been a struggle at times).
Typical press comments on previous concerts:
"(Messiah performance December 2009): Saturday's concert from the Holmfirth Choral, rehearsed and directed by Geoffrey Lockwood, certainly gave their perceptive public an assured performance.."
"... The audience experienced an awsome and totally absorbing concert performance of Puccini's "Turandot."
"...Holmfirth Choral Society rose to the occasion splendidly and were enthusiastically acclaimed by a full house. The singing of the (Messiah) choruses was of a particularly high standard."
OUR LATEST CD - "HOLMFIRTH IN HARMONY" - is now available from members or for purchase on-line at a cost of £5 (+P&P). This consists of 15 tracks of popular favourites, including "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Pratty Flowers".
April 21st 2013 (Sunday), 7.15pm - St. John Passion (Bach) - performance deferred from 23rd March because of bad weather
As mentioned, the above are at Holmfirth Civic Hall commencing 7.15pm (NOT 7.30!) **except as otherwise stated (see location map below)
View Larger MapFURTHER EVENTS MAY BE ADDED AS NOTIFIED; PLEASE ALSO CHECK FOR ANY LAST MINUTE CHANGES BEFORE SETTING OUT
*NB. BY BECOMING A SEASON TICKET SUBSCRIBER, you may attend the three main concerts for an all-in price of £21 (a saving of £1 per concert - ie. £7 instead of £8).
Please contact P Steventon on 01484 687643 for further details and for information on general ticket sales. Alternatively, ask any member or email the Society regarding ticket sales - see next paragraph.
If you would like any further information please click on this link to send an email to Holmfirth Choral Society
If you need to speak personally to the Musical Director please phone 01484 688487
HOLMFIRTH CHORAL SOCIETY IS A MEMBER OF
Last revised 9.5.2013
