Handel's Messiah returns to Batley Central Methodist Church

Morley Music Society (MMS) will be bringing the iconic Handel's Messiah back to the church for the first time since 2019, when it was last performed there to mark the church's 150th anniversary.

Deanna Hirst from MMS says she's really excited at the prospect and says it's an opportunity for people to get into the Christmas spirit early.

"Handel's Messiah is sung the world over by choirs as we approach the festive season, and I'm delighted to say that Morley Music Society will be bringing it back to Batley.

"Performances of Messiah at Batley Central Methodist Church started in 1984, so it's fantastic that we're bring back a forty-year tradition," she says.

The event, which takes place at 7pm on Saturday, November 23rd, presents a fabulous opportunity for local singers, and those from further afield, to join the Society in performing the piece.

"We've been contacting previous Messiah singers, inviting them to join us on the evening - and we'd welcome anyone who knows the piece to come along and sing with us."

The choir is already busy rehearsing but is opening its rehearsals on Mondays 4 and 11 November to anyone who would like to sing with them on the night.

Singers can join the rehearsals, starting at 7.30 pm, at Morley Community Church, Zion Chapel, Merlyn Rees Avenue, Morley LS27 9SL.

MMS Musical Director, Graham Thorpe, says: "Rehearsals are going really well. A performance of Handel's Messiah is always a great event and one which is guaranteed to lift the soul.

"If this performance is well attended and enjoyed, we would hope to repeat the "Come and Sing Messiah" again in the future."

Tickets for the event are already on sale and are available from Batley Central Methodist Church, or you can pay at the door, priced £15.00 for adults and £8.00 for under 18s and students.

Those who know Handel's Messiah can join in via the Come and Sing option on Eventbrite: cost £18.

For more information, please contact: [email protected].

Did you know .....?

• Handel's Messiah was first performed in Dublin and received its London premiere nearly a year later.
• The oratorio has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music.
• The "Hallelujah" chorus is one of the most famous pieces of choral music and the most widely known section of the work.

• Morley Music Society was founded in 1943 as Morley Musical Society and adopted its present name in 1971.
• They meet for rehearsals at 7.30 pm on Monday evenings at Morley Community Church, zion Chapel, Merlyn Rees Avenue, Morley, LS27 9SL
• Anyone interested in going along should contact