Classical preview: Halifax Choral Society

AT THE HELM: John Pryce-Jones will be conducting the choral society.

It is 1817, Beethoven was busily composing and Brahms had yet to be born, when a group of enthusiastic singers came together in the town of Halifax to form a Choral Society '“ and the bicentenary of its birth is being celebrated with a season of high- profile events.

They are fortunate in having John Pryce-Jones, Music Director of Northern Ballet Theatre, to guide it to ever higher standards, including a number of recordings.

“Those 200 years have been the easy part,” he says, “but it’s the next 200 years that will be a continual struggle. The problem is the shortage of music in schools, whatever claims the Government might make, the situation is  dire and it is getting worse.  Without that basic requirement amateur organisations will  wither and die.”

Moving on from that glum note, he continues with his pleasure that audience response is still highly enthusiastic. “We have been very fortunate over the years in having legacies and grants through various connections, though a celebratory season is going to be very expensive.”

Already in rehearsal is the society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah which this year is given a distinctive Yorkshire flavour by having the orchestral part taken by the Black Dyke Band (November 26).

In the Spring, and also in Halifax’s Victoria Theatre, they will perform Haydn’s Creation, a piece of contemporary music and a bold choice when the society first performed it in 1817 (April 15).

Tickets from the Victoria Theatre, Halifax on 01422 3521158.