After five splendid years leading Cirencester Male Voice Choir, we have had to bid a sad farewell to our wonderful Musical Director James Willshire. But at the same time we are delighted to bid a very warm welcome to our new MD, Jeslyn Asir.
Despite being an award-winning classical pianist with multiple recordings to his name, James had never led a choir before, and hadn’t sung since school, but for the following 5 years James took us through three international singing competitions in Cornwall and in numerous concerts in and around Cirencester and in Wales.
But when his wife Pippa, and other extraordinary pianist, was offered a new position at a fabulous school in Norfolk, the family took the opportunity to relocate to pastures new. We wish them every success and happiness and hope they and their children have a wonderful time in their new home.
Our Patron, the Earl Bathurst, was there to present James with a Victorian ebony and silver baton – an essential tool now that he is upgrading to be MD of a Choral Society, an engraved tankard.
Stepping into his shoes from September is Jeslyn Asir, a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he won the Bryan Davies Accompaniment Prize. He has been accompanist for several male voice choirs including The Fron when they won the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. and most recently was Music Director of the Avon and Somerset Police Male Voice Choir.
We welcome Jeslyn to the choir, and look forward to a long and fruitful musical journey together!
