MORE than 120 singers took part in Overgate Hospice Choir's annual spring concert at which guests were Elland Male Voice Choir.

A packed programme included two sets in each half for the combined choirs, who also had their own spots with their accompanists.

It was a first public appearance with the Overgate choir by accompanist Alan Horsey since he was chosen to replace Thomas Moore.

Moore, who has taken up an additional conducting post at Wakefield, was given a long and loud ovation after taking the Overgate baton for the last time, regular musical director Simon Lindley being the compere on this occasion.

It was a well-balanced programme, ranging from classical and opera to pop and musicals.

Overgate soloists included Giselle Herbert on Memory from Cats during an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley and she duetted with chairman Keith Scotford (bass) on All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera.

The host choir sang a number of American songs as did the male voices under the direction of Janet Revill, who arranged When I Survey The Wondrous Cross for the combined choirs, with Eilidh Gunson on piano.

Full sounds came from the combined choirs on Verdi's Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore), Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco) and Grand March from Aida.

Since its formation in 1991, the choir has raised more than £165,000 for Overgate Hospice and Haydn's The Creation at Halifax Parish Church on Saturday October 3 will be its 60th concert.