Majestic music.

THE Slaithwaite Philharmonic's season opener on October 13 includes a programme that will fill the hall with majestic music.

The grand finale showcases Huddersfield Town Hall's Father Willis organ as part of the 'Organ Symphony' by Saint-Saens, a work sure to excite and thrill.

Music director Benjamin Ellin said: "It's a towering work and it's always a thrill to let the orchestra and organist open the sound up a little and see what they've got.

"It literally becomes a cathedral of glorious sounds."

The rest of the programme includes the magical 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' - the music used in the Disney film Fantasia - a shimmering orchestral suite by British master Sir Michael Tippett and Copland's jazzy and lyrical 'Clarinet Concerto'.

"Our soloist for the Copland is the young, Northern based player, Emily Wilson," said Ellin. "She came with us to China as a guest player and the SPO members really loved working with her, so we are delighted to welcome her to our more domestic home."

Emily graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music Masters programme with Distinction in 2016, under the tutelage of John Bradbury and Lynsey Marsh. Whilst at the RNCM Emily won the Gilbert-Fell prize for solo performance, a Music at Beaulieu Award and Third Prize in the Virovitica International Clarinet Competition.

Emily enjoys a huge variety of solo, chamber and orchestral work as a freelance musician. Recent engagements include Andy Fisher's Bass Clarinet concerto with the University of Southampton Chamber Orchestra, a world premiere by Blasio Kavuma in London's Union Chapel with her ensemble Salford Keys, and work with Everything Everything and The Charlatans at Festival No. 6 in the Townhall, Portmeirion.

Emily also works with numerous orchestras as an extra including the Halle orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the CBSO.

Emily first met Benjamin Ellin and the Slaithwaite Philharmonic when she was asked to go on their 2018 tour to China as guest principal clarinet. Taking the organ part in the symphony is local organist Malcolm Hinchliffe.

After beginning organ studies in 1975, Malcolm graduated in music at Southampton University in 1980 and is also an Associate of the Royal College of Organists.

Following on from a career in public library services lasting over 20 years, he became a freelance organist and accompanist in 2010.

He has held organist's posts at various Huddersfield churches and in 2012 he was appointed Parish Organist of St Patrick's Church, Huddersfield, where he is privileged to play their 2009-built krabl pipe organ for Sunday Masses and other services.

In addition to his work as an organist, Malcolm is also accompanist to Holmfirth Choral Society, Huddersfield Voices, Huddersfield Friends of Church Music, deputy accompanist to Huddersfield Choral Society and he regularly accompanies other local choirs on special occasions.

|Tickets priced PS13 to PS19 (concessions PS10) available from Kirklees Box Offices tel 223200, https://tickets.kirklees.gov.uk. | As always children accompanied by adults admitted free to the stalls. Benjamin Ellin will lead a discussion about the music at 6.30pm in the main concert hall.