Singers invited to perform at Messiah event at Holmfirth Parish Church

Jun 4 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HOW would you like to sing in a performance of Handel’s Messiah?

The chance is on offer this Sunday, June 7, when a collection of singers will perform George Frideric Handel’s legendary work at Holmfirth Parish Church.

This is a Messiah with a difference – it is open to any singer who turns up on the day.

The first rehearsal will take place at the church at 2.30pm on Sunday – and the actual performance will be held at 7pm.

Organiser Noel Clarke has a core group of choir singers lined up and expects around 100 people to perform.

But the full number of singers will not be known until the day of the event.

Mr Clarke said: “I call it a ‘come and sing’ Messiah. Most people who come belong to choir because it attracts people with an interest.

“It is a work you can put on where people know it and can rehearse it in one go. It brings people together and I just love it. It is different every time because you don’t know exactly who is going to come.”

It is the fifth time Brockholes man Mr Clarke has arranged a Messiah performance in the Holme Valley.

The first was held in Brockholes in 2000, to mark the Millennium.

The second was at Honley to mark 500 years of Honley parish church and the third was held in Brockholes, to mark 100 years of the village Methodist church.

There has also been one other Messiah event in Brockholes.

This year’s event is being held as part of Holmfirth Festival of the Arts.

Admission is free but there will be a collection and proceeds will go towards restoration of Holmfirth Parish Church.