THE world-renowned Huddersfield Choral Society has secured its first sponsorship deal.

It has teamed up with the town’s university in a groundbreaking deal.

The institutions have joined forces in a bid to share experiences, inspire each other and represent the town.

The choral society’s name will not be changed as part of the three-year sponsorship deal, which will see them singing from the same hymn-sheet.

Members hope the deal will help to raise the profile of Huddersfield throughout the UK and the world.

Outgoing choral society president John Denham said: “This sponsorship is extremely important because we both represent Huddersfield here in the town and much further afield.

“It is a good way for us to share experience and see what we can do for each other; our members and the students.

“Both the choral society and the university have a long and proud history of representing Huddersfield in its very best light.

“By working together we can do even more to celebrate the creative talent of our town.”

University officials were keeping tight-lipped about the cash side to the three-year deal.

But they say it will bring more than cash benefits to singers, students and music-lovers.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof Bob Cryan, said: “The choral society has been in existence since 1836 and we have been in existence, as various colleges, since 1825.

“So we have both grown together in the town over the years.

“The university is about inspiring our students to work with the community and the choral society has the same aims and felt we could support each other.

“It is a three-year sponsorship deal but it is not just about the financial aspect.

“We can both gain experience from each other.

“Our costume design students and website designers will be able to get involved and work on real projects with them.

“I am a strong admirer. I love music and am very inspired by it, but I can’t sing a note.”

The two institutions already have strong links.

Many of the 200-strong choir are university staff and students and fashion students have been commissioned to design new costumes in time for the society’s 175th anniversary in 2010.

The choral society has just chosen Brenda Mosley as its first non-singing president in its 173-year history.

Her late husband, David, was selected for the role.

She takes over from John Denham, who led the society for the previous two years.

Music lover Mrs Mosley said: “I just feel it is such an honour to be given this role.

“I am really looking forward to the next two years and I hope I can do as much and achieve as much as John has.”

Mrs Mosley has been a subscriber to the choral society for about 30 years.

She added: “Everyone in the society is so dedicated; they put their all into everything they do.

“It is very much a team effort and I hope that we can all bring ideas to this wonderful society and make it even better.”

Mr Denham said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be president of the choral society.

“The past two years have been a sheer pleasure.

“There have been many highlights; the Albert Hall, the Queen’s visit to Huddersfield last year and, just the other week, the concert in Greenhead Park, which was superb.

“I will always be a supporter of the choral society.”