Celebrating its fifth birthday, Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir is planning an evening of uplifting music at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

The choir, which is directed by Edwin Baker, has a membership of around 30 singers from diverse backgrounds. They will be joined on Saturday, October 24, by Manchester gospel choir Malachi and youngsters from Huddersfield Youth Gospel Choir.

HCGC’s publicity officer Sam Wells, who joined the choir 18 months ago, says the concert promises fast-paced and energetic entertainment, guaranteed to bring cheer to an autumn evening.

She explained: “A lot of people love gospel music because it is so uplifting and rousing and makes audiences feel good. It is the roots of a lot of different styles of music and while the harmonies are very simple they are effective and produce a lovely sound.”

The group came into being after Kirklees Cultural Services invited Edwin, who is an employment support officer for Calderdale Council, to run two gospel workshops as part of Black History Month in October 2008. Those who attended gave a showcase of what they had learned at a subsequent performance in St Paul’s Hall. Members continued to meet over the next 12 months and formed the basis of the choir, which was formally constituted back in January 2010.

As Edwin says: “We simply enjoy the experience of singing gospel music - the term ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’ - touching lives in a positive way as we share our music with others. Through our singing we want to give people joy and hope, as well as excellent entertainment.”

Although gospel originated in the African/American churches of the early 20th century, it has developed into a wide range of modern musical styles - from R&B to pop. The Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir is not affiliated to any particular church in the area but many of its members do have a Christian faith. As Edwin explains, anyone is welcome to join but they have to be happy singing about Jesus and the fundamental messages of Christianity.

Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir rehearsal at New Directions, Aspley Business Park, Huddersfield. Edwin Baker coaches the choir through rehearsal.

Up to press the final programme for the concert had yet to be revealed, but it will include the Whitney Houston number I Go To The Rock from the film The Preacher’s Wife, and other contemporary gospel sounds.

The choir rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings at New Directions, Aspley Business Park, Lincoln Street. Those interested in joining can find out more at www.hcgchoir.org.uk

Tickets are £10 from www.thelbt.org or 01484 430528. The concert is being presented together with Huddersfield-based Evergreen Partnership Association, a community-based and not-for-profit organisation that provides education, health and sports development services to young people both in Britain and developing countries.