LATEST HCS NEWS:-

REHEARSAL CANCELLATION: JAN 14th Rehearsal cancelled (continuing weather problems). Please check again for following week. Tel 01484 688487 if any further info required.

  • Next concert: 20th March 2010 - Purcell's "Come ye sons of art" and Hummel's "Mass in B flat"

Official website of

HOLMFIRTH CHORAL SOCIETY

Registered Charity No 517460

Holmfirth Parish Church

Holmfirth Parish Church

Click here for Huddersfield area weather

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.

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 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 (which also has a car park at the rear). (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 given in St. Paul's Hall, Huddersfield; Huddersfield Town Hall and many other venues throughout the area.

Holmfirth Methodist Church where we rehearse

There are at present about 90 singing members. This record number is a tribute to our excellent departing 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. The charity concert on 11th October 2009 will be in part a tribute to Ken's lifetime musical achievements.

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"; 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, 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 tend to perform programmes of a 'lighter' nature and we are asked to sing at 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 - at £50 per annum - is extremely 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 will exceed the choir seating capacity; this hasn't yet happened and 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".

CONCERTS FOR THE 2009-10 SEASON ARE (7.15pm in Holmfirth Civic Hall unless otherwise stated):

As mentioned, the above are at Holmfirth Civic Hall commencing 7.15pm (NOT 7.30!) except as otherwise stated (see location map below)

FURTHER 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 (subject to confirmation) of £21 (a saving of £1 per concert - ie. £7 instead of £8). Please contact P Steventon on 01484 687643 for further details. Alternatively, ask any member or email the Society - 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

Links to some other interesting web sites:

Useful local accommodation link: The Barn Holmfirth