MONMOUTH Choral Society has said farewell to its musical director of the last four years.

Huw Williams made his last appearance with the society at its spring concert in Wyastone Concert Hall, near Monmouth, after he was appointed as director of music at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London, where his predecessors include Tallis, Byrd, Purcell and Handel.

Mr Williams said:“This concert gave me an opportunity to look back over the past four years. Working with such terrific and enthusiastic singers has been a pleasure. The passion, interest and dedication on a weekly basis has been inspirational.

Among the highlights, the Verdi Requiem and Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in particular spring to mind, and I’m very grateful to the society for giving me the opportunity to direct these epic works. I also very much enjoyed taking the choir to Hereford and Gloucester cathedrals to sing Evensong and a Eucharist.”