POSITION vacant: One musical director. Start time: January, 2009.

The search is on after Alan Jenkins announced he was standing down from Honley Male Voice Choir to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Alan, 73, is calling it a day after leading the choir to new heights with his energy and enthusiasm.

And in another major change stalwart accompanist John Oldfield is also leaving after a remarkable 40 years’ service.

Choir chairman Norman Mellor said: “Both have been loyal servants and excellent for the choir.

“They have always been very obliging and will take a lot of replacing.”

Alan joined in 1988 and under his baton the choir became the first to win the National Male Voice Choir Championship in 1990 and a Champion of Champions contest the following year.

In recent years he has introduced a number of theme concerts, branching out into the musical theatre, using movement and drama.

He left the choir in 1997 to become musical director of Huddersfield Choral Society Youth Choir, but returned to his old position with Honley in 1999.

During the 1990s the choir provided pre-match entertainment at eight national and international rugby league and rugby union matches at Wembley, Twickenham, Old Trafford and the then McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield.

Alan’s varied career has included stints in Florida, a job as a lecturer at Huddersfield Technical College and working on Brass Band World magazine.

He said: “I don’t feel any different to how I did 10 years ago. But I shall be 74 a week on Tuesday and feel it is time I went.

“I’ve had two spells as musical director and have enjoyed it very much. I have had a happy time.”

John will also be a hard act to follow following his retirement after 40 years with the choir.

He took over from his uncle Clifford and for several months took over as musical director following Alan’s departure in 1997.

John has made a significant contribution to the choir’s success, enhancing performances with a fine sense of musicianship.

He is a former head of music at Almondbury High School. He studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music and for some years was choirmaster at Brockholes Methodist Church.

Alan and John will retire from the choir after the singers’ Christmas concert in Huddersfield Town Hall.