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Experience the magic of the North's Premier Independent Choir

Founded in 1836, HCS has developed an international reputation as one of the UK's leading choral societies.

HCS’ busy schedule is centred on its own concert season in Huddersfield Town Hall, including its annual performances of Messiah. The choir also performs in other major concert venues in the UK and abroad, it regularly broadcasts for BBC radio and television, and has a long history of pioneering recordings.

Our Upcoming Events

What's On

5th December 2026

HCS Christmas Concert

What better start to the Christmas season than rousing singing and a brass band? This year, HCS welcomes back on stage its own Youth Choirs for a concert full of festive treats. For those who’ve never experienced The Choral, this is the perfect introduction to HCS. There’ll be powerful singing, exquisite hushed moments, foot-tapping band numbers – and of course the opportunity to raise the town hall roof yourselves.Booking now open!

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19th December 2026

Handel: Messiah

Recognised as HCS’s signature piece, Messiah, is probably the most celebrated choral work – and for many, the start of Christmas proper. This year we welcome Charlotte Corderoy, a young conductor with a stellar future, to put her own stamp on the work. Charlotte is already building an international reputation and was Critics’ Circle Conductor of the Year in 2025. You won’t want to miss it.Booking now open!

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20th December 2026

Handel: Messiah

Recognised as HCS’s signature piece and performed yearly since 1864, Messiah is probably the most celebrated choral work – and for many, the start of Christmas proper. This year we are pleased to be giving a second performance of this great work, for the first time in Hull City Hall.

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10th April 2027

Duruflé: Requiem, Imogen Holst: Three Psalms. Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb

For our spring concert we return to Duruflé's Requiem, an atmospheric and deeply reflective work, last performed by the Society in 2012; Imogen Holst’s Three Psalms; and Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb.

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26th June 2027

Summer Concert: Friday Night is Music Night

Friday Night Is Music Night is the world's longest-running live orchestral music radio programme – having been first broadcast in 1953. Its lynchpin is the BBC Concert Orchestra and the programmes feature many types of music, including classical, light, film, theatre, songs from the musicals, and opera and operetta. One of its biggest appeals is its unpredictable playlist, which is left unrevealed until broadcast. For that reason, we can’t tell you what the programme will be. You’ll just have to come along and find out!Booking now open!

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Partners Past & Present

King's Award for Voluntary Service

HCS honoured by King Charles

It is our great pleasure to announce that Huddersfield Choral Society is being honoured by King Charles and has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). The award is regarded as being the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary service, one which only goes to charities, social enterprises or voluntary groups who take volunteering to an exceptional level. It is the highest accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Only 250 awards are made each year to eligible organisations, independently nominated.

The Society has been recognised because it is run by volunteers for the good of all – our members and our audiences. With committee members and senior team spending between 6,000 and 10,000 hours annually on general management, choir organisation, finance, publications, season tickets, concert ticket management and fundraising, and choir members collectively putting 12,000 hours into rehearsals, performances and recordings this is truly a volunteer-led organisation.

Huddersfield Choral Society has kept Huddersfield firmly on the classical music map for generations and our award-winning Youth Choirs and our community choir, HCS Voices, help to continue to uphold our tradition and high standards. Inclusivity is fostered through our Youth Choirs and HCS Voices, allowing anyone to become involved with the Society.

We are so proud to receive this honour and hope you will continue to support and share our music making.

Join Us – Auditioning Now!

Prospective new members are asked to sing a prepared piece of their own choice; sing from a vocal score to assess their learning ability; and carry out a couple of straightforward aural tests. It takes no longer than 15 minutes!

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Support The Choral Society

An integral part of this is the development of individual talent. HCS promotes a range of creative workshops and encourages the musical development of its Junior and Youth Choirs while bringing our audiences the very best orchestras, conductors and soloists.

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