ABOUT US

Honley Ladies Choir is based in Honley, a picturesque village on the edge of the Peak District just south of Huddersfield. The village is a hot bed of musical activity - if it's sung, played or performed you'll find it happening in Honley. The Choir has been thriving for over eighty years and is regarded as one of the most vibrant choirs in the local area with a reputation that goes far beyond. We have a wide repertoire and enjoy music from many different genres; classical, modern, popular, traditional – any choral style. During the covid pandemic we mastered enough technology to carry on singing and keep up our morale. You can see in our Covid Creations what we got up to through 2020 and 2021.

As things return to some sort of normal we have resumed our performance programme. Our very carefully managed Christmas celebrations of 2021 and 2022 quickly sold out. In March 2022, deeply affected by events in Ukraine, our “Honley Helps” event raised over £2000 to donate to refugee funds and our Classics and Cake concert later in the year saw us return to a more serious selection from our repertoire.

Our future is evolving with an exciting programme that includes highlights from the rich history of musical theatre and a 1940's project, details still under wraps!

As well as singing we enjoy the varied social life that comes from sharing the friendship and diverse interests of our eighty members. Theatre trips, weekends away, boules competitions and much more are all part of being a Honley Lady. We certainly fulfill the main aims of our constitution: reaching high musical standards and having a good time! Come and try it for yourself.

Musical Director

Emily Reaves-Bradley

Emily is an extremely well-qualified Musical Director and solo performer. She has been our M.D. for over sixteen years - which speaks volumes! It is Emily who has transformed us from a traditional 'ladies choir' into the confident, entertaining and prizewinning group we are today. She challenges and inspires us to achieve the impossible.

Accompanist

Jane Robertson

Jane came to play for us in 2015 with a well-earned reputation as an accompanist, solo performer and teacher. Her calm, informed approach complements Emily's more ebullient style. Together they make a formidable team. (To Jane's site).

Simeon Wood

Flautist

Just got back from performing with Honley Ladies Choir - Oh my goodness me they are good! Superb musicians, passionate, dedicated and engaging. Brilliantly directed by Emily Reaves-Bradley and perfectly accompanied by Jane Robertson.

Sally

Concertgoer

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for such a fabulous evening last night. I have to admit that at the beginning of the night the only reason I was there was to see Collabro but WOW - what a great choir you are and the whole evening from start to finish was just wonderful, I really didn’t want it to end.

(Collabro concert)

Judge's Comments

Mrs Sunderland Festival

Such a convincing performance with authority and dynamism. You communicate so well - we all felt better for hearing your performance.