Union of voices in Requiem

They will join four other choirs at the prestigious Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to present the famous choral work.

The Requiem will be played by the BBC's Northern Symphony Orchestra and the solos will be taken by four professional singers.

The Vocal Union, which celebrates its centenary in 2006, has been rehearsing for several weeks under conductor Frank Smith.

Dr James Eastham, who will conduct the actual performance, came to Keighley this week to rehearse with the Union.

The November 16 concert will also feature the Colne-based Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir, which shares some members with Keighley.

The Vocal Union will also perform in Hawes on November 30.

Keighley Vocal Union would welcome new male and female fingers at Wednesday (7.30pm) rehearsals in Sutton Baptist Church.

Anyone who wants to attend the Requiem should telephone union publicity officer Ruth Clayton on 01535 654003.

n It's not just Gilbert and Sullivan as the Savoy Singers return to a Keighley church next weekend.

The group -- a branch of the original Bradford Gilbert and Sullivan Society -- promises a varied concert on November 15.

The musical evening will be performed at Trinity United Reform/Baptist Church in Fell Lane from 7pm.

A church spokesman says the £3.50 admission price will include refreshments.

He adds: "On their previous visits an appreciative audience enjoyed a variety of items ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan operetta pieces to songs from popular musicals."

n Tom Alexander has for the past four decades performed internationally as one half of The Alexander Brothers.

With his brother Jack he is used to venues like Carnegie Hall in New York and Sydney Opera House.

But the Scottish accordion player will be alone when he appears at a rather smaller venue next weekend in Sutton.

Tom will play Scottish, Irish and Continental music from his extensive repertoire on November 16 at St Thomas' Hall.

Tom and his brother turned professional in 1958, starring in their own TV series and touring the world.

Tickets for the 7.15pm Sutton concert cost £5 for adults, £3 for OAPs/children, on 01535 635074.

n The Aire Valley Singers will celebrate the refurbishment of a Shipley church by presenting three contrasting settings of Gloria.

Versions by Vivaldi, Poulenc and David Bryan will be performed tomorrow (7.30pm) at St Paul's Church in Kirkgate.

Tickets cost £5 (concessions £4) including refreshments, by phoning 012745 598046.

n Gilbert and Sullivan returns to Haworth on November 17-22 in the shape of comic opera Ruddigore.

The show, updated to the 1950s, is presented by West Lane Baptist Amateurs. Book at Keighley Information Centre or telephone 01535 643425.

n International violinist Marat Bisengaliev performs in Christ Church, Skipton, on November 15 (7.30pm) with Settle Orchestral Society.

The concert features Tchaikovsky's Concerto, Beethoven's Symphony No 8 and the overture from Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

Tickets cost £7 adults, £6 concessions, from Time and Tune music shop in Skipton.

n More shows have been either moved from St George's Hall to other venues or postponed until the New Year.

Several others have had to be cancelled because they could not be rescheduled following the Hall's closure.

The building's ceiling -- which cracked last month -- is being repaired in time for a January reopening.

Bradford Council has announced alternative venues for the following shows: Bradford Festival Choral Society -The Messiah, Friday, December 5 - Abundant Life Centre; Bradford Festival Choral Society - Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 20 - Abundant Life Centre.

The following shows have been rescheduled to be held at St George's Hall after it reopens in January: Paul Carrack - Sunday February 8, 2004 (formerly October 11); Mercury - Saturday, March 27, 2004 (formerly November 15); Starlight, February 26 2004 (formerly November 20); Manchester Camerata - Friday, April 2 (formerly November 21); Off The Wall, May 28 2004 (formerly December 4); Joe Longthorne - May 26 2004 (formerly December 18).

Shows that have been cancelled: The Commitments (November 7); Jim Davidson (November 11); Kala Parampara (November 28), Jools Holland, (December 3); Poppy's Playbus Christmas Party (December 23).

Anyone wanting to purchase tickets for the rescheduled dates should call at Keighley Information Centre or telephone 01274 432000.

n Art, one of the most successful plays in British theatre history, returns to Bradford Alhambra with a new cast.

John Duttine, Christopher Cazenove and Les Dennis star in the award-winning comedy by Yasmina Reza on November 24-29.

Christopher Cazenove starred in American soap Dynasty, comedian and quiz show host performed in Chicago in the West End, and Bradford man John Duttine's credits include Who Dares Wins and Jesus of Nazareth.

A hilarious and touching portrait of what it means to be a friend, when ART opened in London it took the West End by storm, winning both the London Evening Standard and Olivier Awards, then became the most successful play in Broadway history.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre or telephone 01274 432000.

n Bill Kenwright's record-breaking production of the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is back at the Alhambra on December 1-6.

Its catchy songs include Any Dream Will Do, Close Ev'ry Door to Me and One More Angel.

The new touring production, featuring new costumes, orchestrations and lighting, introduces a new Joseph.

Andrew Derbyshire was one of the finalists in ITV1's Pop Idol and the lead performer in Queen's hit musical We Will Rock You.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the show that launched the careers of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Joseph has gone into The Guinness Book of Records as the longest running touring stage musical of all time, having completed almost 20 years across the UK.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre or phone 01274 432000.

n The aisles are alive with the sound of music as a cult show returns to Halifax.

The worldwide hit Sing-A-Long-A Sound Of Music is at the Victoria Theatre on November 20.

They screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious Technicolor will be complete with subtitles so the audience can join in.

Everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character and join several hundred assorted nuns, Von Trapp family members and Julie Andrews lookalikes.

The evening will start with a vocal warm up, a guide to the free 'magic moments pack', containing various props to be used at strategic points throughout the film and a fancy dress competition.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre or phone 01422 351158

Following the world premiere at this year's Edinburgh Festival, Ross Noble, brings his smash hit show Unrealtime to Halifax.

The Victoria Theatre hosts the Geordie comedian's stand-up comedy show on November 21.

Ross is a regular on BBC Radio 4 with many appearances on Just a Minute and his own acclaimed series Ross Noble Goes Global.

Book at Keighley Information Centre or phone 01422 351158.