STOP PRESS - NEWS & FORTHCOMING CONCERTS: Next performance is on 15th March 2008 - Haydn's Nelson Mass, etc., in Holmfirth Civic Hall

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HOLMFIRTH CHORAL SOCIETY

Registered Charity No 517460

Holmfirth Choral Society is a mixed-voice choir of good quality, based in the popular and picturesque 'Last of the Summer Wine' village of Holmfirth, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.

Holmfirth Methodist Church where we rehearse 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 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 (which also has a car park at the rear).

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 given in St. Paul's Hall, Huddersfield; Huddersfield Town Hall and many other venues throughout the area.

There are at present about 100 singing members. This record number is a tribute to the leadership of our excellent conductor, Ken Rothery, and our superb accompanist/deputy conductor, Dr Geoffrey Lockwood.

Our performances in recent years include "Carmina Burana", Vivaldi's "Gloria", Haydn's "Creation" and various masses, Bach's "Magnificat", B Minor Mass and parts of his Christmas Oratorio, Rossini's "Petite Messe Solennelle", Mozart's "Requiem", Handel's oratorios "Joshua" and "Saul", Gounod's "St Cecilia Mass", Faure's Requiem, works by Vierne, Rutter, Beethoven, Vaughan Williams and concert versions of various operas.... (the list is almost endless).

We have combined, very successfully, on several occasions with Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra (most recently in June 2007 when we took part in a critically-acclaimed performance in Huddersfield Town Hall of 'Aida'). This was (sadly) our last performance under the baton of Chris Houlding, who is moving on, but our excellent relationship (both musical and personal) with Slaithwaite Phil. will, we hope, lead to further joint ventures in the near future.

In the summer months, we tend to perform programmes of a 'lighter' nature and we are often asked to sing at charity concerts.

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).

The Society is at present "going from strength to strength" - judging by the very favourable comments in the local press!

Typical press reports from previous seasons:

"...This Christmas Concert comprised an attractively varied programme with the choir in good voice. The Valley Sinfonia provided outstanding obbligato support, as did Geoffrey Lockwood at his versatile keyboard.."

"... 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".

CONCERTS FOR THE 2007-8 SEASON ARE:

NB. All the above are at Holmfirth Civic Hall commencing 7.15pm

FURTHER EVENTS MAY BE ADDED AS NOTIFIED; PLEASE ALSO CHECK FOR ANY LAST MINUTE CHANGES

*NB. BY BECOMING A SEASON TICKET SUBSCRIBER, you may attend the three main concerts for an all-in price (subject to confirmation) of £18 (a saving of £1 per concert - ie. £6 instead of £7). Please contact P Steventon on 01484 687643 for further details. Alternatively, ask any member or email the Society - see next paragraph.

 

Below: Open Rehearsal with School Children at Lawrence Batley Theatre, 3rd July 2004, Ken Rothery conducting and Geoffrey Lockwood at the piano

Open Rehearsal with School Children at Lawrence Batley Theatre, 3rd July 2004

If you would like any further information please click on this link to send an email to Holmfirth Choral Society

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