ELAINE Matthews has taken over as musical director of Chepstow Male Voice Choir.

George Hiscocks of the choir says Elaine has long been associated with them as an accompanist and assistant conductor when it was formed in 1988.

From 1993 she took time out to found and lead the award-winning Chepstow Youth Choir, returning to the MVC in 2006 as assistant and then deputy musical director.

Her appointment follows Karl Daymond who stepped down because of business committments.

Elaine first appearance on the rostrum took place last Thursday (September 1).

She said: "I am delighted to be invited to become the Musical Director of Chepstow MVC and, with the support of our dedicated accompanists, Rose Lewis and Eileen Chesworth, am committed to building on the enthusiasm and excellence which Karl brought to our choir. We have an incredibly busy and challenging few months ahead of us, but we cannot wait to get started."

•With the appointment of a new musical director a search has begun for an assistant musical director.

The choir rehearses two evenings each week for 46 weeks of the year, and its programme of concerts averages more than one a month. In addition the choir has engagements at weddings and corporate and civic events.

Anyone interested in finding out more should visit the choir's website, chepstowmvc.co.ukI or telephone George Matthews on 02191 641694.