THERE is a new face at New Mill Male Voice Choir which has just appointed Alan Brierley as its musical director.

Alan takes over from Elizabeth Hambleton who retired at the end of last year.

He may be new to the conductor’s job at New Mill but Alan is a well-known figure in local music circles.

Alan has had a long musical career, starting as a choir boy at Huddersfield Parish Church when he was just six.

He went on to study piano, organ, clarinet, singing and conducting at the Huddersfield Polytechnic School of Music before starting his teaching career.

Alan became Head of Music at Moor End Technology College and retired in 2006.

He has conducted Huddersfield Methodist Choir since 1984, leading its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah on 27 occasions!

The choir will compete in the Don Valley Festival in April followed by concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall and York Minster.