BRADFORD Festival Choral Society and the City of Bradford Brass Band promise a fabulous Christmas concert when they perform together on December 17.

The 6pm concert will be at Bradford Grammar School this year because the usual venue, St George’s Hall, is being refurbished.

The Choral Society’s Christmas concert has become fixture in many family’s diaries, but this is the first time the choir has performed with the City of Bradford Brass Band.

A spokesman said: “There will be a blend of familiar carols, some newer seasonal music, a taster of Handel including the Hallelulah Chorus and plenty of opportunity to join in with the singing.

“The choir’s conductor Tom Leech usually has some musical surprises up his sleeve.”

There will be seasonal refreshments before and during the concert.

Choir chairman Maggie Eisner said: “We are performing at 6pm so that busy shoppers can have relaxing break when they have finished, and children, who can come for free, can have a special outing without being too late.”

The choir is fresh from an unusual concert of modern music which drew a large audience.

Visit bradfordfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk to buy tickets, or on the door.

Bradford Festival Choral Society is one of England's oldest amateur choirs, founded in 1856 with roots dating back to the first Bradford Festival three years earlier.

In its illustrious history the choir has performed most of the major choral repertoire, working with a stellar cast of conductors including Elgar, Malcolm Sargent, Sir John Barbirolli, Sir Charles Groves, Richard Hickox and Sir David Willcocks, together with soloists and orchestras of international calibre.