Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 1d

🎶 Tomorrow! Our Come & Sing Messiah Workshop — a day of glorious Handel with the expertise and enthusiasm of @thomasleech.com, @kurisup.bsky.social, guest coaching from @hannahmason.bsky.social & Alex Kyle, and soprano Louise Wayman in our 6–7 pm informal performance! @visitbradford.bsky.social

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 5d

🎶 #MessiahMondays: William McAlpine (1922–2004)
🎵We’re proud he was tenor soloist for our Centenary Messiah at St George’s Hall, Bradford, 19 Dec 1956.
🧱From bricklayer to Britten premieres, McAlpine became a leading British tenor & beloved teacher.
✨ Join us for our next Messiah on 15 Nov 🎶

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 7d

🎶 Ticket sales are speeding up in our countdown to this glorious musical homecoming — don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic. The Dress Circle won’t wait!

Search ‘Messiah’ or ‘Handel’ on Bradford Theatres website, or call the box office on 01274 432000.
@visitbradford.bsky.social

2

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 8d

🌧️ Stormy skies, wild winds... stay cosy and plan your autumn and winter diaries🎶
🎼 Handel’s Messiah – 15 Nov, St George’s Hall
Book: Bradford Theatres
🎄 A Yorkshire Christmas – 20 Dec, Price Hall, Bradford Grammar School - Book: ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs
@visitbradford.bsky.social @bradford2025.co.uk

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 8d

✨ Step into history through music!
We first sang Handel’s Messiah at St George’s Hall in 1856 — and we’re proud to return in @bradford2025.co.uk

🤩Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, everyone’s welcome! @visitbradford.bsky.social

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sponsored/wi...

Competition: Your chance to win tickets to a fabulous night of music in Yorkshire

Affordable tickets to a classical evening of entertainment, plus your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets, in an exclusive Yorkshire Post competition.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 12d

"Magnificent performance of Handel’s #Messiah” — Bishop Toby Howarth, 2022 ✨
Join us for an even grander night at St George’s Hall, Bradford on 15 Nov. Book your seats via Bradford Theatres Box Office now! www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/han... 🎶
#MessiahMonday #ChoralMusic

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 15d

Thank you 🎶🎵🥳

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 15d

💬 What’s your favourite chorus from Messiah — and why? The expectant “And the Glory of the Lord”? The majestic “Hallelujah”? Or the stirring “Worthy is the Lamb”? Or another?
🎶 Join us on 11 Oct for a singing workshop where we’ll explore some of the iconic choruses together.
ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 16d

Still glowing and grateful… ✨
We won @makingmusicuk.bsky.social 2025 Award for Diverse Programming!
🌟The panel described us as “living and breathing diverse programming… no tick-boxes here.”
🙏👏🏻 @thomasleech.com @kurisup.bsky.social for shaping our musical vision with integrity, curiosity and care 🎶

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 16d

Thank you so much to @makingmusicuk.bsky.social for this honour.

Kudos to our musical team @thomasleech.com and @kurisup.bsky.social for their thoughtful programming, and to our members for supporting them🎵🎶❤️

Hats off to all nominees and winners; great to hear everyone’s stories - so inspiring ⭐️

1 2

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 20d

🎶 Messiah Mondays: Pamela Bowden (1925–2003)

Rochdale-born contralto, Geneva winner, sang 750+ concerts incl. many Messiahs. Malcolm Arnold wrote for her!

She sang in our 1956 Centenary Messiah at St George’s Hall, and we bring this masterpiece back on 15 Nov @bradford2025.co.uk @thomasleech.com

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 20d

💛 Last weekend we were delighted to be part of the wonderful Saltaire Festival

🎶Next up, it’s your turn to sing! Our Come and Sing Messiah day is just 3 weeks away (Sat 11 October) — and we’d love you to add your voice.

👉 Book your place here: ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs

2

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 22d

3 weeks!
11 Oct: Beckfoot School, Bingley for one of our popular Come and Sing Workshops 🥳

🎶 Handel’s Messiah choruses under the expert guidance of our inspiring and energetic musical team @thomasleech.com

Camaraderie, cake, choruses and maybe a few semi-quavers! Join us: ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 22d

✨Delighted to be shortlisted for a 2025 Making Music Award for Diverse Programming 🎶
🙏 Thanks to our musical team @thomasleech.com and @kurisup.bsky.social
for their thoughtful programming, to our supportive trustees, to our collaborators and to our members for embracing the music! 🎶

1 4

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · 26d

✨ Messiah Mondays ✨
In 1956, soprano Adrienne Cole starred in our Centenary Messiah at St George’s Hall, Bradford — a rising BBC Proms soloist and Messiah regular.
We continue the tradition on 15 Nov 🎶
🎟️ Bradford Theatres or call 01274 432000

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Sep 2

TOMORROW!! We’re back!
We start our 169th season rehearsals in Clock House, Bradford Grammar School as we prepare for Handel’s Messiah on 15 November at St George’s Hall!

Did you see us in yesterday’s YP with Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra??

👀Look out for us in the T&A today 🎶 #yorkshire #bradford

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Sep 1

✨ Messiah Mondays – from the archives ✨
In 1923, the Bradford Evening Argus praised our “brilliantly equipped” Messiah at St George’s Hall. 100+ years on, it still captivates. Join us 15 Nov for the magic! 🎶
🎟️ Book now via Bradford Theatres or call 01274 432000. #bradford @visitbradford.bsky.social

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 29

Our Chair + 2 trustees were in full colour at last night’s launch event for #SaltaireFestival 💜💙

📸They even sent pics to prove they were on brand ahead of our 13 Sep performance in Roberts Park: Choral Classics in the Park

🙏Thanks to the Saltaire Festival team for having us. See you in the park!

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 28

🎶 Rehearsals start next week and our new season is nearly here… but don’t miss this! 👀

📣 Join us Sat 11 Oct at Beckfoot School for a joyful Come and Sing day: Handel’s Messiah, led by our brilliant MD @thomasleech.com

🎟️ Book: www.ticketsource.co.uk/bfcs/t-yaxypkp
Let’s raise the roof together!

1 2

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 27

🎶 One week to go! 🎶
Our new season starts Wed 3 Sept at Clock House, Bradford Grammar.
💛 Open Rehearsal: 10 Sept — or join us from Day 1!
🎵 Sing Handel’s Messiah with us this term.
📅 Wednesdays 7.30–9.30pm
👉 www.bradfordfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk/join-us

#yorkshire @bradford2025.co.uk

3

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 25

📜 Messiah Mondays: A gem from 1955–56! Featuring Handel’s Messiah & a nostalgic ad from Woods The Music Shop—still fondly missed in Bradford. 💛 As we near our 170th season, we’re seeking sponsors to join our story. Interested? Email: [email protected]

1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 25

🎶 Plan Ahead: Four Dates to Lift Your Spirits!
11 Oct – Come & Sing Messiah
15 Nov – Handel’s Messiah, St George’s Hall
20 Dec – A Yorkshire Christmas
21 Mar – Haydn’s The Creation
✨ Tickets starting to fly:
👉 www.bradfordfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk/forthcoming-...

1 1

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 24

We quite agree 🎶🎵❤️

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 24

Our Assistant MD @kurisup.bsky.social is a collaborative pianist, répétiteur, and conductor, working with orgs such as Opera North and the RNCM.
🩵Chris helps @thomasleech.com to ensure our rehearsals are musically ambitious, while welcoming and uplifting.
💛Join our Open Rehearsal on Wed 10 Sept!

2

Bradford Festival Choral Society @bfcs1856.bsky.social · Aug 23

🎶Calling Yorkshire Singers🎶
With our MD @thomasleech.com at the helm you’ll find our rehearsals positive, welcoming and uplifting, while also musically ambitious—perfect for both seasoned singers and those ready to be stretched.

📅 Open Rehearsal: Wed 10 Sep, Clock House, Bradford Grammar School

2 2