Pictures
Top: Event director Jim Cowell chats with association secretary Rowan Morton-Gledhill, whilst Jonathan Leigh looks on.
Middle: John Foster, assistant organist at Almondbury with Lightcliffe organist & committee member Michael Smith.
Bottom left: Some members of the Huddersfield Friends of Church Music.
Bottom right: The late Peter Littlewood.

Sandwiched between an opening traditional hymn, 'Angel voices' and a well rehearsed final, 'How shall I sing that Majesty', a generous assembly of members and many other people were presented with an evening of enlightenment and charm.

The aim of demonstrating different current Mass settings for Rite A was most musically performed by the Huddersfield Friends of Church Music under their Director, Jim Cowell.

Indeed, it was the control, comment and real enthusiasm of Jim that gripped the listener's attention; the hand of experience was notable. Geoff Lockwood was at the organ, weaving his own spell - an artistic backcloth.

Shephard, Hurford, How, Rutter, Sumsion's 'Hartley' (could it be J R?), Peter Foster (a Huddersfield musician) and even dear old Merbecke were exposed in sound and comment; 'congregational' participation was sought and given with variety. Words from J C on unison hymn singing and the importance of spirit/style in writing Acclamations were apt and refreshing.

Four part tyranny received a further blow when plainsong, quite splendidly, struck a note of festal pomp. A wider opportunity for the choir came with the singing of music by Schutz, Bairstow and Rutter - all so beautifully phrased and then, to finish with, that hymn to the tune: Coe Fen. Mmm, I really like that.

As ever, though, his demeanour was cheerful and his good humour, which always enhanced our events, irrepressible. Peter, whose home was in Barnsley, was by profession a librarian and music mattered to him deeply. He sang tenor for many years in the Sheffield Philharmonic Choir.

His funeral took place at Buckley Street Methodist Church where Chris is organist. We extend our deepest sympathy to Chris and her family in their loss.