WORCESTER Male Voice Choir is looking forward to a very busy year ahead, and one that will see some significant changes.

The choir has developed with the guidance of a succession of conductors and pianists; but for the last 25 years it has flourished under the baton of Nicolas Wright and the accompaniment of Sheila Leatherland.

But Nicolas has decided to stand down in the autumn.

A spokesman said: “This year sees a change to our musical team. Nic is stepping down in September and handing the baton to Scott Wolfenden, our current assistant pianist, and James Jarvis will join as our main accompanist, ably supported by Sheila.

“Haydn Thomas will continue as assistant conductor.”

The choir’s schedule will certainly be a full one this year.

The spokesman said: “In 2018 we have a busy schedule which includes our St George’s Day Concert at St Martins; a concert at Birmingham Town Hall; our Christmas concerts at Pershore Abbey and the pinnacle, which is our annual concert at College Hall, Worcester Cathedral.”

Worcester male voice choir evolved in 1987 from the Worcester police choir, which was conducted by Henry Sandon of Antiques Roadshow Fame.

The spokesman said: “It began with a handful of singers and has grown to a choir of 70 plus. The choir has a repertoire of over 200 songs drawn from classical and modern genres, sung in a variety of languages. Everything from the Everley brothers Let It Be Me, via Les Miserables to Wagners Pilgrims Chorus.

“The choir is also a registered charity, devoted to the spread of choral singing and has raised over 200,000 pounds for local and national charities.”

The choir performs regularly in Worcestershire and occasionally further afield during a tour,or as part of the English Association of Male Voice Choirs.

And the choir has performed at Symphony Hall Birmingham, at Worcester and Gloucester Cathedrals, Colston Hall Bristol and the Royal Albert Hall London.

The choir has also toured Wales, Scotland, the North East and Cornwall, as well as crossing the water to Ireland, France and Germany

The spokesman added: “We are looking forward to revisiting Vernon in France this June, where in 2014 we sang at the Malvern Stone monument at Fontaine De Tilly in honour of the Worcester Regiment.

“We will performing with the Choeur D’Annebault choir at the collegiate church and with the Cambrai orchestra at Gouzecourt.”

Meanwhile the choir will have to come to terms with what it calls “the end of an era”.

The spokesman said: “Nic has demonstrated immense musical talent in conducting the choir and as a performer in his own right.

“He has demanded high standards of performance but matched that with commitment and dedication.”

Further details about the choir and its concerts at worcestermalevoicechoir.org.uk