The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival is held in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It has a repertoire of cutting-edge jazz, orchestral, choral and electroacoustic performances, along with film, dance and music theatre. Guest composers who have taken part in the festival include Karlheinz Stockhausen, Terry Riley, Brian Eno, John Cage, Will May, Steve Reich, Daniel Giorgetti, Jonathan Harvey, and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.
Venues used include the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield Town Hall, St Paul's Hall, St Thomas's Church and the Creative Arts Building of the University of Huddersfield. There is also a Festival Hub which offers refreshments, CDs and free live shows every morning of the festival.
In 2011 Jexper Holmen became composer in residence for 2011–12.[1]
The 2010 festival ran from 19 November to 28 November. The composer in residence was Rebecca Saunders.[2]
The 2009 festival ran from 20 November to 29 November. Jonathan Harvey was composer in residence, and the festival also featured the Arditti Quartet, Nieuw Ensemble, Louis Andriessen, Pianophasing composed by Kristoffer Zegers and musikFabrik.
The 2008 festival ran from 21 November to 30 November. A highlight was the performance of several Frank Zappa pieces by the Ascolta ensemble with guests.
In 2006 the festival took place from 17 November to 26 November. On the event list was zeitkratzer, Kitchen Motors, Lumen 3, and Psappha.
In 2005, the festival was held from 17 November to 27 November and featured the latest works by Helmut Lachenmann.