THIS season is Ilkley Choral Society’s 75th anniversary and also the 75th anniversary of the Society singing Handel’s Messiah for the first time.

To mark this occasion the Society is singing the choral masterpiece in St Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, on Saturday, December 16th. Please note the new winter start time for the concert is 5.30pm.

Adrian Heeley, Chair of ICS said: "The Society, along with our sister choir, Otley Choral Society, invite a limited number of singers to join us. You must have you own copy of the Watkins Shaw edition of the work (orange cover) and you must be able to sing with a fair amount of confidence. We invite voices from all sections.

"You will be invited to attend four rehearsals on a Monday evening in Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley and be able to attend the short rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon prior to the performance. Monday rehearsals commence at 7.30pm for two hours and the rehearsal in St Margaret's on the Saturday afternoon will be from 1pm-2pm. The first Monday rehearsal will be on the November 18th.

"We are asking for a fee of £25 which covers the four Monday rehearsals and the rehearsal and concert on the December 14th.

"The performance and concert will be under the leadership of Alex Kyle, the Society’s versatile and inspiring Musical Director. This will be Alex’s first Messiah with the choir. As always, the organ and harpsichord parts will be played by the choir’s brilliant accompanist, Robert Sudall. Also we will have four top professionals singing the solos. Tickets are available from our usual locations, priced £20 (under 18s and F/T students free).

"There will be about 120 voices from both choirs singing, so we have little spare accommodation of guests. Please apply to Sally Sumpner, Secretary, as soon as possible: secretary@ilkleychoral.org.uk or 07758742831. You are advised to apply at the earliest opportunity."