Choir seeks musical director as founder retires

Pauline Daglish has promised to relax and not set up another choir when she retires to Northumberland

A Nottinghamshire choir group is searching for a new musical director after its founder announced her intention to retire.

Pauline Daglish, from Edwinstowe, has run the Major Oak Pop Choir for 10 years but now wants to retire to Northumberland with her partner.

"I know the group regardless want to continue in some form, but it would be fantastic if we could find the right person to come and take them over," she said.

She started the group to make "some new friends" after leaving her job as a music teacher in 2015.

Mrs Daglish said she loved helping people enjoy music

The 66-year-old said it quickly expanded to 80 members "through word of mouth".

"The reason we have 80 members is because we have 80 chairs in the room that we rehearse in, so I often have a waiting list of members who want to join."

When asked why the group did not get more chairs, she explained that it was already a large choir to manage.

"They're a lovely group of people, very friendly, and there's a real sense of community and sharing and friendship," she said.

'Humbled'

Through her 10 years in charge of the choir, she said it had raised over £80,000 for various charities, with three or four public performances each year.

It also persevered through the Covid pandemic, which stopped in-person rehearsals, and led to members convening over Zoom.

"I can remember I used to play the backing tracks through the computer and the ladies would hear it in their homes and sing along to it.

"But I couldn't actually hear them singing," she said.

Mrs Daglish said she was also "humbled" by the way that her members talked about the choir, and how much it meant to them.

"I feel quite proud that I've sort of founded that, although I will obviously be very sad to leave the choir and leave the area," she said.

"But I just feel that if we can get someone to take the choir over and lead it on, I feel that I've left a legacy for Edwinstowe."

Anyone interested in the role can get in touch with the group via its Facebook page.