Halifax Minster Summer Festival

Music -Art – Theatre – Dance  – Culture

THURSDAY 22 JUNE to THURSDAY 31 AUGUST – FREE

Travelling Light – Jane Austin

Throughout the summer an exhibition of watercolour paintings by local artist Jane Austin brings a waft of summer colour into the Minster. Inspiration reflecting back

on past travels to beautiful places where light and colour dances with fond memories. Warm skies, calming waters and quiet corners to soak up the atmosphere.

THURSDAY 22 JUNE – 13:00 – FREE with Retiring Collection

Festival Organ Recital with Gordon Stewart

Gordon Stewart is a popular International Organist and Conductor based in the North of England. Until recently he was the organist at Huddersfield Town Hall and is regularly  seen conducting BBC Songs of Praise. Gordon opens this year’s Festival with a delightful mix of music on the mighty  Harrison Organ.

THURSDAY 22 JUNE – 19:30 – £10/£8*

Sing for Joy

Colne Valley Male Voice Choir and Elland Silver Band -Two outstanding local musical organisations are collaborating together on this, the first night of the Festival, to bring the acoustics of the Minster alive to the sound of singing and brass.

FRIDAY 23 JUNE – 19:30 – £10/£8*

Chill Night! Jazz, Curry & Real Ale

Mirfield Swing Band supported by Rishworth School Swing Band. Friday night after a week at work is Chill Night with a relaxed evening out with friends and neighbours, enjoying the ambience of this extraordinary heritage building, with good food, real ale, and the sound of jazz and big band music. Meat and vegetarian curry provided.

SATURDAY 24 JUNE – 18:30 – £16.50/£11**

SING ALOUD – Halifax Choral Society

Music for a summer evening including Songs of Courage by George Dyson, Songs and Sonnets of Shakespeare by George Shearing, North Country Folk Songs by Philip Wilby, and World Premier of Begin by Ben Ponniah.

SUNDAY 25 JUNE – 10:30 – FREE with Retiring Collection

Festival Eucharist – Preacher The Dean of Wakefield

This year the Minster Choirs collaborate to perform Louis Vierne’s Messe Solennelle. It’s loud and brash and puts the Choirs and organ through their paces in a liturgical setting.

SUNDAY 25 JUNE – 19:00 – £10/£8*

Leeds Concert Band

Leeds Concert Band is an advanced-standard community ensemble who have been playing together since 2010.  The band’s Musical Director is Andrew Crawford, under whose expert guidance the band plays a wide repertoire of music. Tonight, the programme ranges from light classical to contemporary, via musical theatre – we promise there’s something for everyone!

 MONDAY 26 JUNE – 14:00 – FREE event ***

Tea Dance – Helen O’Hara Dance School

This event is aimed at older people, especially those who may be isolated and lonely, those with dementia, and those who love to dance too. The event includes afternoon tea with music and dance too.

TUESDAY 27 JUNE – 14:00 – FREE event

‘The stories you may not know’ – Muslim Women & Education

In this event, the Halifax Opportunities as a prominent learning provider will share and widen the knowledge of the varied interfaith communities that reside in Calderdale. A chance to learn of the history of Muslim women paving the way for women’s education globally, finding out how Islam influences women’s education and the roles of Muslim women in education and entrepreneurship.

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE – FREE event for schools

The Selfish Giant – Springs Dance Company

This year for the first time the Festival includes dance in the Minster. We are delighted to welcome the Spring Dance Company from London to host a number of local primary schools for a day of dance.

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE – 19:00 – Adults £5 Children FREE

The Sun and the Moon – Calderdale Theatre School

A seasonal piece of devised theatre exploring the myths, legends and verse of the sun and moon. Some of these you might know, others will lead you into new worlds of discovery. Bring your ray of sunlight and some moon dust. Come and share an evening of celestial delights. Our talented company of young actors guarantee to light up your evening.

THURSDAY 29 JUNE – 13:00 – FREE with Retiring Collection

Rishworth Music Department fill the Minster with their musical talent in preparation for their Prize giving later in the day. Buy your lunch and come and encourage young people in performing live music. Lunch available in the Minster from 12.15pm.

FRIDAY 30 JUNE – 11:00 – £5 including coffee and cake

Piano recital – Jill Crossland

We are delighted to welcome Jill Crossland back to the Minster to play a recital of music for piano. Her programme of Bach in our 2022 ‘Thursday @ One’ season was very well received so this concert should prove to be another real treat (alongside our homemade cakes….)

FRIDAY 30 JUNE – 19:00-20.30 – FREE event with bar

Art Exhibition Evening reception – ‘Travelling Light’ with Jane Austin

An invitation to come and hear first-hand from the artist the inspiration behind her paintings and her painting methods. Enjoy a summer’s evening with refreshments on hand to wander and appreciate the artwork in such a beautiful setting.

SATURDAY 1 JULY – 19:30 – £10/£8*

Halifax Young Musicians

Talented young musicians take over the Minster to perform some of their favourite pieces with a collaboration between Elland Silver Youth Band, North Halifax Grammar School and Bradshaw Primary School Choir.

SUNDAY 2 JULY – 10:30 – FREE with Retiring Collection

Festival Eucharist – President: The Bishop of Huddersfield

Preacher Mark Russell CEO of the Children Society. On this last day of the Festival the Minster Choir performs Haydn’s Little Organ Mass accompanied by strings incontrast to the loud and brash Vierne Mass the Week before. Diversity and Social Justice are at the heart of the Minster.

SUNDAY 2 JULY – 16:00 – £5*

Come and Sing – Choral Evensong

Stanford in C and Wesley Blessed be the God and Father. The Festival ends with the annual opportunity for everyone to join the Minster choir and enjoy signing in the Minster a traditional service of Choral Evensong. Rehearsal begins at 2.30pm, refreshments at 3.30pm with the Service at 4pm.

TICKET INFORMATION

* Tickets available from Eventbrite via www.halifaxminster.org.uk or in the Minster Shop (booking charges may apply)

** Tickets available from www.wegottickets.com and www.halifaxchoral.org priced at £16.50 and £11 (under 18’s) (including fees). Tickets on the door also available at £20 and £12 (under 18’s).

*** Organisations supporting groups should ring the Minster Office for group bookings on: 01422 355436. Individuals book via the www.halifaxminster.org.uk, Minster Office: 01422 355436 or email: admin@halifaxminster.org.uk