THE Basingstoke Ladies Choir has appointed a new musical director following the retirement of Margaret Brackenborough who led the choir for 15 years.

Rob Elliott takes over the reins of the choir and took is his successful rehearsal with the 55-strong choir.

Growing up Elliott was part of a musical family and had conducted the Massed Male Choirs at the Welsh National Eisteddfod at the age 21.

A former trombonist of the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales, and former musical director of four male choirs in England and Wales. Elliot is well versed in the choir world.

He became the founder and musical director of Britain’s most successful male choir of the 21st century – Wessex Male Choir, with whom he developed and won more than 20 prizes in competition during his 12 year tenure, until stepping down in 2013.

Elliott has performed in a host of venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cardiff Castle, The NEC and Wembley, as well as the cathedrals of Llandaff, Westminster, and Southwark. Rob has also conducted the community singing and the national anthems on several occasions at Twickenham, and his own male chorus performed at all the games there in 2016 for the Rugby World Cup.

The successful music director has joined the Ladies Choir ahead of their annual concert, which will be held on Saturday, 14 October at the United Reformed Church from 7.30pm.

Elliott said he is s delighted to take on the mantle of musical director of Basingstoke Ladies Choir and is relishing the prospect of working with the choir on its next exciting stage of development.

Tickets for the annual concert cost £10 and can be purchased by calling 01256 325457, or from Dawson’s Music shop or on the door.