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The first major concert of our 2024-2025 season was a performance of one of Rossini’s latest works, written only a couple of years before his death. Although entitled “Petite” – small, it is a full-length mass, using the Latin words that are very familiar to Holmfirth Choral members. Perhaps it was small in the sense that it was written originally for just 12 singers, but most modern performances are by larger choirs – as is ours.

There are four solo parts – for which we welcomed four singers all of whom have sung with us before: Julia Morley (soprano), Sarah Ogden (mezzo soprano), Alistair Donaghue (tenor) and Daniel Sumner (baritone).

Accompaniment was on piano (played by Chris Pulleyn), and harmonium (played by our accompanist Malcolm Hinchliffe)

It was a resounding success – the choir was on form, the quartet of soloists was superbly balanced with excellent solo performances, and some magnificent playing on piano and harmonium.

Calling all singers! This was an opportunity to come along, rehearse, and the perform this much-loved work. Holmfirth Choral led the singing, and a few visitors joined in.

There was a small but appreciative audience for the performance.

In June 2023, we took part in a celebration of Vaughan Williams’ music, specifically his collecting of folk tunes which metamorphosed into hymn tunes which he incorporated into the English Hymnal of 1906 which he edited. The celebration was a year long, involving concerts around the country, and we were privileged to be invited the choir performing in Huddersfield, by Broomdasher – the organisers of From Pub to Pulpit. We gave a recital of music by Vaughan Williams and his teachers (Stanford, Parry and Wood) in the first half, then led the massed singing by a full audience of three of his hymns, accompanied by David Pipe on the organ, in the second half. A memorable event!