Gledholt male voice choir
Huddersfield
About Gledholt Male Voice Choir
Founded in 1948 by a group of dedicated men from Gledholt Methodist Church—including a double male quartet led by Joe Ripley—the Gledholt Male Voice Choir has been enriching Huddersfield’s musical life for over 75 years. Today, it is a well-established charitable organisation (charity no. 1032452) rehearsing weekly and performing regularly across the region.
Heritage & Tradition
Born from the rich tradition of male voice choirs rooted in Britain’s industrial and Methodist heritage, the choir’s origins echo the cultural tapestry of Yorkshire’s working communities. What began humbly as a church-based ensemble quickly flourished, embracing a broad repertoire of close-harmony singing.
Musical Leadership
The choir is currently under the inspiring direction of James W. Morgan, a distinguished Huddersfield musician educated at the Royal Northern College of Music and Indiana State University. James took the helm in 2021, guiding the choir into a new era of vibrant performances and community engagement. Accompanying him is Jane Robertson, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, renowned for her versatile accompaniment in competitions, festivals, and concerts.
Repertoire & Performances
From traditional Welsh hymns and Wesleyan classics to operatic arias, show tunes, pop numbers, and original arrangements, the choir’s repertoire showcases versatility and refinement. Over the years, they have performed at:
Committed to nurturing musical talent, the choir regularly:
Rehearsals & Join-In Opportunities:
Rehearsals are held every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Lindley Methodist Church Centre. Anyone over 18, whether musical novices or experienced singers, is welcome to attend open rehearsals. No formal auditions or music-reading skills are required—just a love of singing and harmony:
Looking Ahead
Gledholt Male Voice Choir, in its eighth decade, continues to evolve—building on a strong foundation of musical excellence, community service, and fellowship. Under James Morgan’s direction and Jane Robertson’s accompaniment, the choir promises exciting performances, creative collaborations, and opportunities for singers of all backgrounds.
Want to get involved? Whether you’re a new singer, a concert-goer, or looking for a choir for your event, reach out.
Founded in 1948 by a group of dedicated men from Gledholt Methodist Church—including a double male quartet led by Joe Ripley—the Gledholt Male Voice Choir has been enriching Huddersfield’s musical life for over 75 years. Today, it is a well-established charitable organisation (charity no. 1032452) rehearsing weekly and performing regularly across the region.
Heritage & Tradition
Born from the rich tradition of male voice choirs rooted in Britain’s industrial and Methodist heritage, the choir’s origins echo the cultural tapestry of Yorkshire’s working communities. What began humbly as a church-based ensemble quickly flourished, embracing a broad repertoire of close-harmony singing.
Musical Leadership
The choir is currently under the inspiring direction of James W. Morgan, a distinguished Huddersfield musician educated at the Royal Northern College of Music and Indiana State University. James took the helm in 2021, guiding the choir into a new era of vibrant performances and community engagement. Accompanying him is Jane Robertson, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, renowned for her versatile accompaniment in competitions, festivals, and concerts.
Repertoire & Performances
From traditional Welsh hymns and Wesleyan classics to operatic arias, show tunes, pop numbers, and original arrangements, the choir’s repertoire showcases versatility and refinement. Over the years, they have performed at:
- Local venues in and around Huddersfield
- Nursing homes and community centres, bringing music to those with limited mobility
- Prestigious stages like the Royal Albert Hall as part of mass choir events
- International tours, including performances in France and Ireland
Committed to nurturing musical talent, the choir regularly:
- Hosts workshops and invites young musicians to join them on stage
- Offers a mentoring scheme to support new singers
- Organises music literacy initiatives and provides resources such as sectional MP3s and theory tutorials to aid learning
Rehearsals & Join-In Opportunities:
Rehearsals are held every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Lindley Methodist Church Centre. Anyone over 18, whether musical novices or experienced singers, is welcome to attend open rehearsals. No formal auditions or music-reading skills are required—just a love of singing and harmony:
- Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesdays, 7.30–9.30 pm
- Location: Lindley Methodist Church Centre, Huddersfield
- Contact: Drop in or email via the choir’s website for more info
Looking Ahead
Gledholt Male Voice Choir, in its eighth decade, continues to evolve—building on a strong foundation of musical excellence, community service, and fellowship. Under James Morgan’s direction and Jane Robertson’s accompaniment, the choir promises exciting performances, creative collaborations, and opportunities for singers of all backgrounds.
Want to get involved? Whether you’re a new singer, a concert-goer, or looking for a choir for your event, reach out.
James morgan and Jane Robertson
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Musical Director - James W Morgan
Born in Willenhall in 1952, James W. Morgan, studied at the Huddersfield School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and Indiana State University, the first of many educational visits to the USA, which included a year’s teaching on a Fulbright Scholarship. He became Head of Music at King James’ School, Almondbury in 1982, the same year that he took over the Holme Valley Singers (Choir – as it then was) from Alan Simmons. Helping the choir to achieve its many successes were three fantastic accompanists – Simon Murray, Sue Ogden and Jane Robertson, to whom he owes undying thanks. In 1988 he went to Holmfirth High School as Director of Music and spent the rest of his teaching career there. His performing experience include the Hallé Orchestra, the Black Dyke Mills Band and the Mastersingers, for whom he still drums, sings, writes and co-directs. He also sings bass in the Choir of Christ Church, New Mill, has recorded at Abbey Rd, conducted at the Royal Albert Hall and Directed the Daily Service for BBC Radio 4, with Mastersingers and HVS. In 1990, he founded the Holme Valley Orchestra. He has done vocal workshops for both Sing for Pleasure and the National Association of Choirs and has also conducted Colne Valley MVC and both Brighouse and Rastrick Band and the Black Dyke Band. James has collaborated with local composer Barry Russell on many occasions, resulting in successful performances at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, the National Festival of Music for Youth and the Schools Prom. He continues to compose and arrange and tries to eak out a few sheckles from www.morganmusic.co.uk. Although he retired from the Holme Valley Orchestra in 2021 he took over the Directorship of Gledholt Male Voice Choir, joining up back up with Jane Robertson for another wonderful collaboration. Exciting times ahead. |
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Jane Robertson, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, is a well-established accompanist and teacher of the pianoforte. Well known on the concert platform Jane is an official accompanist for The Mrs Sunderland Music Festival and she regularly accompanies singers and instrumentalists for exams, diplomas, recitals and international competitions including the BBC Young Musician. As a freelance accompanist she has worked with soloists and ensembles at the Royal Northern College of Music, Leeds College of Music and Huddersfield University as well as making recordings and broadcasting live for regional television.
In 2023 she was invited as Guest Accompanist for the International Women’s Choral Festival. Formerly the resident accompanist with the Alan Simmons Mastersingers, Jane joined the professional team at Gledholt Male Voice Choir in 2011. She also accompanies two other choirs in West Yorkshire, those being the Huddersfield Choral Youth Choirs and Honley Ladies Choir |