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The Joy of Choral Singing

Aled Jones explores the joy of being in a choir and joins a packed congregation in Huddersfield Town Hall for some rousing hymns, led by the world-renowned Huddersfield Choral Society.\n\nIn a quiet moment offstage, Aled chats with regular Songs of Praise conductor Ken Burton to explore what makes choral music so special, with singers of the Huddersfield Choral Society lending their voices to help demonstrate the dynamics. Aled then meets two members of the famous choir to hear about its rich history, which stretches back to 1836, and how, for many, their performances are an act of worship.\n\nThe Huddersfield Choral Society also has thriving youth choirs, and Aled drops in on a rehearsal to meet choir leader Alison North and her daughter Madeline. Aled hears how choral music, and the friendship found in choirs, has helped them through the grief of losing Madeline’s brother Alexander. Then, back in Huddersfield Town Hall, Madeline sings a poignant rendition of Count Your Blessings.\n\nAled reflects on how choral music has been celebrated for many years through the BBC Young Chorister of the Year contest. Harry Bradford, who won the title in 2008, looks back on how it inspired him and set him on the path to his career as a renowned choir conductor.\n\nWith uplifting hymns from Huddersfield Town Hall and beyond:\n\n1. O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing – Huddersfield Town Hall\n2. Let All the World in Every Corner Sing – Huddersfield Choral Society\n3. How Great Thou Art – St Elisabeth’s Church, Reddish\n4. Count Your Blessings – Madeline North, Huddersfield Town Hall\n5. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace – Laura Wright and Alexander Olleson\n6. Tell Out My Soul – Huddersfield Town Hall

Source: BBC 1