THE Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra (RFDO) is looking for a new conductor as members prepare to say goodbye to Jack Lovell, who has been musical director for the past two years.

The chamber orchestra has 30 musicians and will need someone to start in September. Spokesperson Viv Hargreaves says : “At 25, Jack, was a young talent and made a resounding success of conducting the orchestra. He combined this with being assistant conductor at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden last winter, as well as other posts in Sheffield, Birmingham and Cardiff.

“We’re known as one of the friendliest orchestras in the area, and we’re hoping to find another enthusiastic conductor to direct the three concerts we perform each year. Jack’s swan song concert in the Dean is on Saturday, July 2 at the Cathedral of the Forest, Newland.”

Rehearsals are held during term time on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm-9pm at St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Newnham.

The committee is inviting applicants to come along for an audition.If you are interested please send your details to chairman Liz Pritchard at [email protected] by May 9. Auditions will be held on May19  and May 26. Find out more about the orchestra at www.rfdo.org.uk