HOYLAKE Choral Society celebrates its Golden Jubilee with the first concert of the season on Saturday in St Hildeburgh's Church, Hoylake, at 7.30pm, when the choir will sing two well-loved choral works - the Vivaldi Gloria and Brahms' Requiem.

The ever-popular Carol Concert is a must for music lovers this year. Not only will there be added colour from the Rock Ferry Salvation Army Band, the Choral Society is forming its own children's choir The Red Rocks Junior Singers, to take part in this concert at West Kirby United Reformed Church on Saturday, December 20, at 7.30pm.

The group formed in 1947 as the Hoylake Musical Society and in May 1948 gave its first performance with choir and orchestra of Handel's Messiah. Following the disbandment of the orchestra, the name was changed to Hoylake Choral Society and has continued to give concerts for the last 50 years.

To mark the jubilee celebrations, Chairman of the Society, Tony Woodhead, has prepared a Commemorative Booklet outlining the Society's progress over the last 50 years. 'A View from the Back Row' contains his personal reminiscences, photographs and a list of the choral music performed over the years. Copies go on sale later this month at £5.

The culmination of the season will be the Jubilee Concert on Saturday, April 25, in St Hildeburgh's. The attractive Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle is the main item and the Society has invited two of its former Musical Directors, Paul Ferguson and Gordon Pullin, to take part part in the concert. Guest of honour will be the Mayor of Wirral, Coun Barney Gilfoyle, Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford and former Musical Director John Senior.

An innovation for this year is a season ticket which will guarantee reserved seats. Details can be obtained from Ticket Secretary Mrs Ellice-Clark, 49 Meols Drive, Hoylake. Phone 632-1533.

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