- 50:Fifty Voices Singing Day
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Date Posted: Sun, 26 Apr 2026
I'd like to announce a come-and-sing day in Derby on June 6th.
As part of Derby's civic celebrations for 50 years of our twinning with Osnabrück, Derby Choral Union are arranging a singing day on Saturday 6th June, ending with a free performance in Derby Market Hall.
We'll be led by our Musical Director Paul Provost, and joined by the musical director of Osnabrück's Marienkantorei, Carsten Zündorf, singing a medley of classical pieces (see the full programme below).
Get Involved option 1 - Community Rehearsal of Hallelujah Chorus
We want as many people as possible to come and sing with us, even if you don't have experience of choral music. The climax of our performance will be a community rendition of the Hallelujah chorus, from Handel's Messiah, which should be familiar to most, and you'll have a chance to practice it at our Community Rehearsal:- 3-4pm - We will be at St. Werburgh's church, Friar Gate, Derby. Please register in advance at https://guestlist.co/
events/816520 - so we know how many copies of the music to prepare. - 5:15-6pm performance in Derby Market Hall
Get Involved option 2 - Come-and-Sing Day
The whole day of the 6th June will be a come-and-sing, at St. Werburgh's church, Friar Gate, Derby. It is free to all, please just register in advance at https://guestlist.co/events/816520 so we know how many copies of the music to prepare. - From 9.30am - Arrival and registration.
- 10-12 - Rehearsal of full programme
- 12-1.30 - Lunch break
- 1.30-3 - Rehearsal of full programme
- 3-4pm - Community rehearsal of Hallelujah Chorus
- 5.15-6 Performance
Programme:
- Handel - Zadok the Priest
- Bach - Jesu, joy of Man's desiring
- Bach - Subdue us by thy Goodness
- Handel - Let their Celestial Concerts (from Samson)
- Franck - Psalm 150
- Brahms - Wie Lieblich (from Ein Deutches Requiem)
- Haydn - Insanae et Vanae Curae
- Handel - Hallelujah (from Messiah)For more information, see: www.dcu.org.uk/50fifty - 3-4pm - We will be at St. Werburgh's church, Friar Gate, Derby. Please register in advance at https://guestlist.co/
- Reopening of Derby Market Hall
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Date Posted: Fri, 2 May 2025
Among the events to celebrate the reopening of Derby Market Hall there is a callback to the original grand opening. On the 29th May 1866 there was an impromptu performance of Handel's Messiah by local singers. They went on to found Derby Choral Union, a society which is still going strong 159 years later.
Derby Choral Union will give a free performance on Thursday 29th May 2025, starting at 7:30pm. They will sing selected choruses from Handel's Messiah, as well as some short pieces from their current repertoire.
Chairman Antony Stevenson says: "It's amazing to think how long our choir has been running for. Especially in the years since Covid we have had to work hard to recruit new members and rebuild our audience numbers. It's a real privilege to celebrate our heritage by revisiting the venue where it all began."
"Our concerts are not just about the music: we also want to celebrate our city's buildings. Whether it's the Cathedral, or local churches and halls, the different spaces really transform the music. We're all very excited to experience the acoustics of the Market Hall."For more information, see: www.derbymarkethall.co.uk/
- Tickets on sale now for our 159th Season
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Date Posted: Tue, 3 Sep 2024
Tickets are now on sale for the first 4 concerts of our 159th Season.
These can be purchased online by using the links to each concert on the "Upcoming Events" page of this website, under "News & Events" in the menu at the topof the page. NB. The Christmas Concert on 21st December is being hosted Derby Concert Band and the link will take you to their ticket booking page.
Tickets for our Summer 2025 Concert will be available later in the Season.
You can also book a Season ticket for all 4 of this Season's Concerts hosted by Derby Choral Union (including the Summer 2025 Concert, but excluding the Christmas Concert) by following the link to the 159th Season Ticket.
- Our 159th Season
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Date Posted: Wed, 7 Aug 2024
Rehearsals for our 2024/25 Season start on Tuesday 3rd September at 7:30pm.
We will meet at St John's Church, Devonshire Drive, Mickleover.
- New Term
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Date Posted: Sun, 23 Jul 2023
Rehearsals for 2023/2 Season start on
Tuesday 5th September 2023
7:30pm
We begin preparations for our next concert
Mozart - Requiem,
Haydn - Theresienmesse,
To be performed at
Derby Cathedral on Saturday 25th November 2023
