Lunchtime concerts play a big part in the musical life of the town.

And it’s not just in Huddersfield that concert-goers get to hear top quality musicians without having to brave the darker nights.

Some get the best of all worlds and go to the many evening concerts which are held every week across the area.

But for those who because of other commitments or for whom setting out again on a winter evening isn’t quite so attractive, a daytime concert is the perfect solution.

Towns up and down the country continue to stage them and are rewarded with big support.

That’s certainly true in Kirklees where concerts are held at lunchtimes both in Huddersfield Town Hall and just a short car drive, or train trip away, in Dewsbury Town Hall.

Who else but Kirklees Borough Organist Gordon Stewart orchestrates the lunchtime concert programming? He’s playing himself in around a dozen of them in Huddersfield.

The next is on Monday, that’s November 11.

If you fancy lunch first then that’s available, served up in the Old Court Room from 11.30am.

And chances are that when Gordon’s finished seeing that all is well in the concert hall, he’ll be popping in to catch up with the many concert regulars making even more of an occasion of it by having lunch.

He’s always keen to hear what the concert-goers think of the musical programmes and indeed, of the soloists who will be appearing throughout the season. And yes, that includes telling him what they think of his performance.

And he certainly listens to all the comments.

So much so that when young violinist Bing Xiang played alongside Gordon in Huddersfield last year, the audience were quick to ask for more.

Musician Bing Xiang to play in Kirklees lunchtime concert season
Musician Bing Xiang to play in Kirklees lunchtime concert season

Gordon’s taken them up on that request and Bing Xiang gets his own concert next week.

He will be playing at Dewsbury on Wednesday (November 13) with Ellena Hale on piano.

If you like melody and virtuoso playing that’s what’s on offer here with Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, Mozart’s Sonata in G and Massenet’s Meditation from Thais.

Bing Xiang is an award-winning young musician and is currently in his fourth year at the Royal Northern College of Music undertaking a Bachelor of Music Degree.

Born in Shanghai, he started studying music when he was five after moving to Australia. At seven, he began studying violin with his father and by the time he was 12, he was accepted to study with Kek Tjiang Lim – violinist artistic director of the Evergreen Symphony Taiwan.

Since then he has continued to study while performing at major venues.

Audiences in Kirklees will certainly welcome him back next week, just as they will Gordon Stewart when he plays Monday’s concert in Huddersfield.

Gordon has chosen a programme of British music ending with Healey-Willan’s masterpiece Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue.

He will also be playing works by three Yorkshire composers: Alfred Hollins, Dr Francis Jackson and Huddersfield’s Robert Cockroft.

The full programme which is designed to use every one of the Father Willis organ’s 65 stops includes: Hollins' Concert Overture in C, Felton's A little Trio, Stanford's Postlude in D minor, Thalben-Ball's Elegy, Jackson's Diversion, Cockroft's Lullaby and Healey-Willan's Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue

Tickets from Kirklees Box Office on 01484 223200, on the door on the day of the concert or online from www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls

Monday’s concert begins at 1pm with Wednesday’s Dewsbury concert beginning at the earlier time of 12.30pm.