ANOTHER successful season for Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies comes to a close on Saturday, June 22, 2024 with a performance of Mozart’s Mass in C minor “The Great” as the main choral work.

Under the directorship of the choirs’ recently appointed musical director, Alex Kyle, the choirs will bring this season to an end with this marvellous setting of the mass which is not heard as often as it merits. “Great” because the first two movements alone are longer than the total length of any previous masses by Mozart and longer than any of the famous Haydn masses. The first half of the concert comprises of three short choral works and arias by four soloists.

The soloists for the evening are Georgie Malcolm (soprano), Jessica Hopkins (soprano), James Savage-Hanford (tenor and also MD of Ilkley choir Cantores Olicanae) and William Kyle (baritone).

The concert is in St.Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, starting at 7pm. Tickets (including programme) are £18, £5 (f/t students and children). Complimentary wine and cold drinks will be available in the church lounge during the interval.

Tickets are available from The Grove Bookshop,Ilkley, Brown’s Art Gallery, Otley (cash only please), online at ilkleymozartmass.eventbrite.co.uk, from members of both choirs and on the door.

Thinking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Ilkley Choral Society would like you to come to their first two rehearsals on a “Come and Sing” basis, and if you like what you hear and what they do, then you would be very welcome to join the choir. Singers of all ages and experience are welcome.

A spokesperson said: "At present we are about 70 strong, but would always appreciate new tenors and basses. We have chosen music which should be very attractive to all singers who love choral music. The three works we will be rehearsing throughout the autumn, with a performance in Otley Parish Church on the 16th November are Michael Coleridge’s “Requiem” (probably a first performance in this area), Gustav Holst’s “Short Festival Te Deum” and Stanford’s “Songs of the Fleet”

"Please join us on Mondays 2nd and 9th September on the balcony for pre-rehearsal tea and coffee and a chat with members at 7pm in Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley. Rehearsals will commence at 7.30pm. Music will be provided. This one you will want to make a note of - Handel’s “Messiah”, St Margaret’s,7pm, 14th December, 2024.

"For all other choir information please refer to our website ilkleychoral.org.uk"