It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the retirement of George Brown.  George has been with the Choir for eighteen years and his commitment and support has been exemplary. He has religiously attended Sunday and Tuesday rehearsals travelling in all weathers from his home in Crawford.  His cheerful and supportive demeanour will be sadly missed.

However, we have been extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of Julian Hodgson, a well-known musician and supporter of community initiatives.  Julian studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Eric Thiman, John Gardner and Maurice Miles.  He won the Ernest Read and Ricordi prizes for conducting.  He has conducted opera groups in London and Lanarkshire and directed the first modern performance of Haydn's opera La Canterina.  In 1976 his book Music titles in translation – an index to English versions of choral and vocal music – was published.

He was organist at Kirkmuirhill Church for thirty years and now composes, plays the piano for a number of choirs and occasionally conducts