What is a Huddersfield Choral Subscriber?

Laura Rawnsley is our subscriber secretary. In this short interview we asked Laura about what it means to be a subscriber at Huddersfield Choral Society and what is involved in her role.

What is a subscriber at Huddersfield Choral Society?

Simply, a subscriber is a person who subscribes to the full Huddersfield Choral concert season by purchasing a season ticket.
In their early days, many choral societies were subscription only clubs, and subscribers have been a vital part of the Huddersfield choral society since its inception. HCS is unusual in maintaining this great tradition. For much of its history the only way to hear HCS regularly was as a subscriber.

What are the benefits of being a subscriber?

Although you no longer must be a subscriber to see Huddersfield Choral perform live, being a subscriber gives you the best chance of getting the seats you want and purchasing tickets a full month before the general public. For choir members of Huddersfield Choral, performing to a regular and loyal audience encourages our musicians to bring that little bit extra to every concert!

What is involved in your role as subscriber secretary?

As Huddersfield Choral’s subscribers’ secretary I am here to represent subscribers. I see my role as making sure that existing and new subscribers enjoy our concert season. This includes making sure you have all the information you need, making the process of getting tickets as smooth and pleasant as possible, and listening to any problems and suggestions you may have.

How did you become involved in the subscriber role?

I am not a member of the choir, but I am a choral music enthusiast like you! I have been subscribing for more than 30 years and I have rarely missed a concert.

Why should people consider becoming a subscriber?

If like me you love the very special experience of being present when HCS perform the best choral music with spectacular soloists and top-class orchestras in the historic setting of Huddersfield Town Hall, you should consider becoming a subscriber.
Your subscription covers three concerts per year including the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, one of our most popular concerts. The only concert not covered by subscriptions is the Christmas Concert, but as a subscriber you do get advance notice when those tickets go on sale.

Over the years I have been introduced to many choral works that I have never heard before, as well as hearing outstanding performances of works I am familiar with, so for me the subscription is well worth the money.

When do season tickets go on sale?

This year, season tickets will go on sale on the 8th August at 9am, four weeks before tickets for individual concerts become generally available to the public on the 29th August.

Click here to go to the subscription page where you’ll be able to purchase your season ticket.