The founder and music director of St Neots Sinfonia and St Neots Choral Society has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
Reginald Searle is nominated for the Lady Hilary Groves Prize, which is presented annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to music in their community.
Reg founded St Neots Choral Society in 1975 as an evolution of the Longsands School Choir; the Sinfonia followed in 1989.
Since then, Reg has rehearsed and conducted nearly 300 concerts, providing hundreds of musicians and thousands of audience members with access to music-making and performance on their doorsteps.
Reg has dedicated nearly 10,000 hours of his time to taking rehearsals and conducting concerts - that’s equivalent to working full-time, without holiday, for over five years.
He has also supported local young musicians, as well as writing compositions such as “A day in the fens”.
Will Winter, chair of St Neots Sinfonia, said: "We are delighted that Reg's dedication to music-making in our local community has been recognised by being shortlisted for this award.
"And we would like to say a huge thank you to him for his huge contribution to our musical lives.”
St Neots Sinfonia and St Neots Choral Society are both welcoming new members.
As one choir member said, “Wednesday evening choir rehearsals are the highlight of my week”!
More information is available on www.stneotssinfonia.org and www.stneotschoralsociety.org.uk
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