Print Shortlink

Huddersfield Choral Society

This choir made up amateur performers was founded in Huddersfield, England in 1836 and have built a reputation both nationally and internationally as one of the leading choral societies in the United Kingdom.

Performing what has been termed the “Huddersfield Sound” their Conductor Laureate is Martyn Brabbins, Joseph Cullen has been their Chorus Master, and they have been led over the years by many acclaimed conductors including Sir Charles McKerras and Paul Daniel and have performed many national and international tours.

Having made many thousands of performances, during the course of their history, which includes subscriber concerts given three times each year and several commissioned works, their work can be heard in excess of 50 albums.  They made their recording debut at the Columbia Records studio in 1927 and continued during WWII when they performed some of their best known works such as Hymn of Jesus by Gustav Holst, The Dream of Gerontiusby Edward Elgar and were conducted by William Walton for his Belshazzar’s Feast.

After the war Sir Malcolm Sargent led them on a series that included Messiah and Elijah and later in the 1980s they received two gold discs for their 1985 albums of Christmas carols and hymns.

They are still working hard in the studios in the 2000s and have released Symphony No. 3 by Cyril Scott, Messiah, a premiere recording of works by Arnold Bax and The Hymns Album over recent years.  Several major British orchestras, bands and other choirs have accompanied them on their recordings and in concerts and these include the Black Dyke Mills Band, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Trinity Boys Choir, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of Opera North and many more.

The Choral Society also supports Young Voices and the Youth Choir, which have their own concert programmes assigned to them.

Leroy Anderson recordings
A Christmas Festival
Chandos 4541 (CD: A Christmas Fantasy)
Black Dyke Mills Band
Huddersfield Choral Society

Sources:

  1. http://www.huddersfieldchoral.com/about-huddersfield-choral.htm
  2. http://www.huddersfieldchoral.com/recordings.htm
  3. http://www.huddersfieldchoral.com/huddersfield-choral-news.htm
  4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huddersfield_Choral_Society
  5. http://www.signumrecords.com/artists/huddersfield_choral_society/index.htm
  6. http://www.singers.com/choral/newreleases/archive/2006/08/huddersfield_ch_1.html