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Summer may not be here yet, weather-wise, but a festival of music, art, poetry and travel will bring some sunshine to Halifax Cathedral.
The popular Cathedral Summer Music Festival is back this year, starting on Thursday 27 June and running until Sunday 7 July, with something for everyone to enjoy, including many free events.
The festival will kick off again at 1 pm with an organ recital by renowned international organist and conductor Gordon Stewart. Gordon, who until recently was organist at Huddersfield Town Hall and regularly conducts the BBC’s Songs of Praise, will entertain the audience with a medley of music played on the cathedral’s magnificent 1929 Harrison & Harrison organ. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
Two outstanding local music organizations will collaborate on the first night to bring the cathedral’s acoustics to life with singing and brass. The Sing-Along event at 7.30pm features performances by the Colne Valley Men’s Choir and the Hammonds Band.
Friday night (28 June) is a ‘chill night’ with jazz, curry and real ale from Mirfield Swing Band and Elland Swing Band, and Saturday (29 June) Elland Youth Band and Calderdale Theater School will Put on a joyful show.
Canon Hilary Barber, vicar of Halifax Cathedral, said: “Once again it will be a wonderful festival with something for everyone, and all within the drama of the cathedral. carried out against the background.
“We are delighted to be hosting this festival, which includes 10 days of incredible summer events and activities, making the most of what the cathedral has to offer the town.
“This festival is a great opportunity for us to welcome the large number of visitors to the performing and visual arts and we are delighted to be able to offer a number of free events, including our very popular Tea Dance, which is aimed at older people, especially those who may be isolated and Lonely people, people with dementia and those who just love to dance.
Other highlights include the summer-long ‘We are Calderdale’ exhibition, reflecting Calderdale’s Vision 2034 process currently being implemented. The photos will reflect on the following questions for residents: What does Calderdale mean to the people who live here? As we reflect on and look forward to the future of Calderdale, these images and words will reflect the realities and hopes of some of the people who live here.
There will also be a “Strawberry and Fizz Concert” presented by the Cathedral Choir, the Nasheed Festival, a celebration of the beautiful poetry and songs of Islamic culture, “Shakespeare and Jazz” performed by the Halifax Choir and An orchestral tribute to rock legend Fleetwood Mac’s timeless hits.
The festival will also feature Eucharistic liturgy and choral evening songs.
A full program of summer festival events, times and ticket prices are available from the Cathedral – or visit the Halifax Cathedral website at www.halifaxminster.org.uk
