WHEN a talented young American choir was looking for concert partners in the UK, one Huddersfield group was quick to respond.
The result is that early next month, the Kingwood Chorale from Houston will sing in concert with the Huddersfield U3A mixed voice choir.
Eric Cooper, co-director of the 106 strong U3A choir, spotted an advert in a British musical publication placed by the Kingwood Chorale asking if any choir over here would be interested in sharing the stage with them.
Eric got in touch and the result is a joint concert by the two outfits on Saturday, June 9 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Halifax Road, Birchencliffe.
The American choir comprising 34 students and members of the community from the Houston area is arriving on June 7 for a 10 day stay.
The highly talented young choir from America follows its appearance with the U3A choir with a lunch time open air concert the following day at Harewood House.
The Kingwood Chorale then travels to Scotland where they will perform in concerts in Edinburgh and then Glasgow before returning home on June 17.
The choir, established in 1988, has been featured several times on KUHF Radio and in 2007 performed in Carnegie Hall.
Its broad repertoire is designed to showcase the variety of American musical tradition taking in folk, secular, sacred, spiritual and gospel songs.
The choir is led by musical director Todd Miller who is also an accomplished tenor soloist.
Mr Miller is Professor of Music and Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at Lone Star College, formerly the Kingwood College from which the choir gets its name.
Accompanying the choir is Jay Whatley, Associate Professor of Music at Lone Star College.
The U3A choir which is accompanied on piano and flute by Corinne Lord , is also performing a varied programme of secular and sacred pieces.
Eric Cooper who co-directs the choir with Malcolm Fairless said: “We are really excited about appearing with this young, very talented choir.”
Jeff Goldthorpe, secretary of Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir, will compere.
The concert begins at 7pm, tickets from the Church or from U3A choir member Marjorie McGee on 01484 517781.
