Choir’s got the hang of Handel

ROUSING rendition: Saddleworth Male Voice Choir and the augmented ladies chorus perform Handel’s “Messiah” last year

THERE’S no excuse for members of Saddleworth Male Voice Choir forgeting the words to Handel’s “Messiah” — they’ve sung it every Christmas for 50 years.

The group, which performs with a women’s chorus for the occasion, is currently rehearsing for its 50th consecutive staging of the classic oratorio, at a sold-out Uppermill Civic Hall on Saturday.

Some members of the men’s choir have appeared in more than 40 performances and a number of the women have joined them for the performance for more than 30 years.

The group will be accompanied by the Pennine Orchestra which, under the leadership of Donald Clarke, has played with the choir since 1982. The choir is directed by Damian Cunningham.

::You can add your name to a list of people hoping for returned tickets by calling David Davies on 01457-873182.