Talented quartet sing Messiah with Methodist Choir

Nov 28 2008 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A QUARTET of talented soloists who have become firm favourites with Huddersfield audiences return to the Town Hall to sing Messiah.

The four, tenor Jason Darnell, bass Nigel Rothery, soprano Sarah Ogden and mezzo Jane Hobson, will all feature in the December 9 performance of Handel’s best-loved oratorio by Huddersfield Methodist Choir.

But rising hall costs mean this could be the last time the choir sings this particular concert in the hall.

All four soloists are well known to local audiences and Jason, Sarah and Jane sang in last year’s Messiah concert.

As well as endless singing commitments, including membership of Huddersfield Choral Society, Jane works tirelessly, using her singing talents to raise money for a variety of charities.

Prize-winning soprano Sarah, who has had much success in festivals and competitions, is also a talented brass player.

The concert will be conducted by Alan Brierley, with Simon Lindley as organist, Mike Briggs on trumpet and John Turnbull on timpani.

The choir returns to the Town Hall on December 20 for a Christmas concert in the company of Sellers International Youth Band.

The celebrity guest will be Tom Lister (pictured), who plays Carl King in TV soap Emmerdale.

Tom was born in North Yorkshire and is married to primary school teacher, Jenny. He got his first role in the television drama series Heartbeat and two years ago appeared on a celebrity edition of Stars in Their Eyes as Jamie Cullum.

This promises to be an evening packed with seasonal and popular music of all styles

We have a pair of tickets, courtesy of the Methodist Choir, to give away for this Christmas concert.

Just tell us the name of the character that the choir’s guest, Tom Lister, plays in Emmerdale. Put the answer on a postcard, with your name and address and send it to Methodist Choir Christmas Concert, Features Department, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Queen Street South, Huddersfield HD1 3DU.

Entries by one week today please.