Keighley Vocal Union has been no stranger to performing full-length choral works during its 100 years' history.

So it's appropriate the mixed choir has chosen Mozart's Requiem -- an old favourite -- to begin its centenary season.

The members tomorrow perform the famous piece alongside Karl Jenkins' 21st-century work The Armed Man.

The Vocal Union came into being in 1906 with a name change from the Albert Street Baptist Church Prize Choir.

The objectives were stated as studying part singing and rehearsing competitive music for festivals.

Considerable success came in many festivals, including Barrow, Saltaire, Blackpool and Huddersfield.

Five decades on and the Vocal were entering fewer festivals, but still achieving success such as at Llangollen Eisteddfod 1958.

The choir began to spread its wings, singing in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Dublin, Germany and Belgium.

The annual spring recital was introduced in 1971 with Haydn's Creation, and has included the Requiem as well as Vaughan Williams' A Vision of Aeroplanes.

The Vocal has had only seven conductors or musical directors, and only two since 1937 -- Jack Smith up to 1982, and his son Frank ever since.

There have also been only two accompanists since 1945, Harry Denby serving until 1969, and Ellis Wright to the present day.

The choir will celebrate its history with six special concerts across the area between now and December.

The 100th birthday concert, at Aireville School, Skipton, on March 18, also features The Holme Singers and Steeton Male Voice Choir.

Other concerts will have guests including Reading Phoenix Choir, Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir, baritone Neil Baker and Salford Choral Society.

The Vocal return to Keighley on December 16 for the final concert, Handel's Messiah at Keighley Shared Church with Bradford Chamber Orchestra.

Tomorrow's performance in the Shared Church begins at 7.15pm.

Tickets cost £10 by phoning 01535 632296.

n The Ice Queen is the title of this year's family pantomime from Cullingworth theatre group CADS.

Long-time member Pauline Wood is the writer and producer of the show, due to be performed on February 21-25.

Tickets for 7.15pm performances will cost £5 (£4 concessions) from Cullingworth Pharmacy.

n Northern Ballet Theatre brings its critically acclaimed production of Madame Butterfly to the Alhambra theatre.The February 8-11 production portrays the lightning romance between a young Japanese geisha and the US naval officer.

She raises their son alone, pining for her husband, but when he returns with his new American wife, tragedy follows. Choreographer David Nixon has combined traditional Japanese dance styles with classical ballet, set to Puccini's famous music.

Book at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, or phone 01274 432000.

n Sylvia Shepherd is in fact musical director of Keighley Amateurs' pantomime Cinderella -- rather than Sophie Shepherd being the physical director -- as was mistakenly stated in last Friday's up and coming section of Knights Out.