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."