MAKE the French connection with Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra tomorrow.

The orchestra returns to Huddersfield Town Hall with a programme of all-French music.

It offers a shaft of pure spring sunshine after weeks of chilly weather.

The concert will open with Emmanuel Chabrier’s España, written after the composer and his wife returned home after touring Spain.

It promises a captivating portrait of 19th-century Spain and listen out for a flurry of flamenco.

Musically, it’s a bit like an Impressionist painting and that is certainly what follows in Debussy’s Prelude a l’après-midi d’un faune.

It’s been described as a picture painted in music and certainly gives the orchestra’s woodwind section a chance to showcase its skills.

What French programme would be complete without a taste of ballet music and the orchestra has chosen Poulenc’s suite, Les Biches.

It was composed for Diaghilev’s famous Ballet Russe but some of its melodic lines may be familiar from more recent times – and television themes.

There will be similar recognition too for Bizet’s popular L’Arlésienne Suite No 2 .

Perhaps the centrepiece of the concert though is the choice of Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No 2.

It’s known as the Organ Symphony and the orchestra has a superb guest soloist to play it in Joseph Cullen.

Joseph is best known in this town as chorus-master of Huddersfield Choral Society.

He is widely acclaimed for his work with symphonic choruses but he also has a national profile as conductor, organist and continuo player.

His association with Huddersfield Choral Society goes back to 1999 during which time he has made a trilogy of recordings with the choir. Last spring, he conducted the British premiere of Jonathan Harvey’s Messages with the society and the Orchestra of Opera North.

For a decade, Joseph has also received glowing reviews for his leadership of the London Symphony Chorus.

He has collaborated with the world’s leading conductors and has won two Grammy awards.

Joseph has conducted many orchestras including the Northern Sinfonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Orchestra of Opera North.

And into this extraordinary schedule he fits master classes in choral conducting, works as a vocal consultant and tours internationally with the leading vocal ensemble, Tenebrae.

Tomorrow’s concert will be conducted by Nicholas Smith and the orchestra’s leader is Mary Barber.

The music begins at 7.30pm and tickets are available on-line from the Kirklees Box Office at £12.00. Concessions are available.