IF YOU want a reminder of just how much musical talent there is in the area, then there’s a concert next weekend which should do the trick.

Huddersfield Town Hall will be packed on Saturday (January 28) with musicians and singers all using their talents to raise money for the Kirklees Mayor’s charity appeal which this year is the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Champions Brighouse and Rastrick Band return to the concert hall having retained their National Brass Band of Great Britain title in a contest at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

They will be joined in this spectacular concert by Halifax Young Singers for what promises to be a spectacular concert. And it is thanks to the Singers that this concert will have the feel of a real family affair.

Halifax Young Singers are conducted by Lynn Hudson whose husband Thom Meredith, son Harry and Harry’s girlfriend Ellie Pike are also performing.

Thom needs no introduction to Huddersfield audiences as he is not only principal of Kirklees Music School and musical director of Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, but he’s a fine soloist as well.

He will be singing in the concert alongside Harry who is currently studying percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Ellie is also at the RNCM studying saxophone.

“Now that Harry is off at the RNCM there are fewer opportunities for us to share the platform,” said Thom.

“It used to be a regular occurrence as he sang with Lynn in Halifax Young Singers and played percussion for me in Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra, but he now leads a hectic life over in Manchester performing in some amazing events.

“When the schedule allows, mum and dad now really enjoy travelling over to Manchester, sitting back and watching him perform; whether it be as a percussionist in the orchestra pit for Carmen or singing in Sondheim’s Into The Woods.

“It’s going to make a very special occasion for us having all three of us on stage again and this time we’ll be joined by Harry’s girlfriend, Ellie.

“The Les Miserables medley we’ll be performing is just a snapshot of some of the great music from the show, but it’s been great fun rehearsing it and it’s really been Harry taking charge.

“He knows what will work and we’re happy to go along with it – I suppose you never stop being proud parents, however old your children get!

“As a family we have had a long association with the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

“It is such a worthwhile cause and we are delighted to have the opportunity to show our support again.

“Lynn and I have both been lucky enough to meet some of their wonderful staff and look round the new hospice; it has a profound effect.

“I suppose you hope to never have to use their facilities, but if you did, it’s just what you would want,” he said.

Harry and Ellie have a shared interest in singing and have been inspired by recently seeing West End shows including The Lion King, Wicked and Les Miserables.

And the last of those shows inspired the medley they will sing at the concert along with Thom who says he is relieved that the younger generation still had a place for ‘The Old Man’ and is delighted to be joining them on stage!

Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Eric Firth, has organised the evening in aid of a charity he hopes to raise £100,000 for during his year as mayor.

Clr Firth said: “Although the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice have raised the money to build the new hospice they still need lots of money to finish it off and keep it running, that’s why I chose them as my charity.

“There’s an ever-increasing demand for this kind of facility and it is brilliant that we have one for Kirklees now.”

All the proceeds raised from the night will go towards supporting the hospice.

Tickets from the Kirklees box office on 01484 223200.