Chippenham Cantata choral society’s musical director David Dewar has been forced to quit because of pressure of work.

Mr Dewar, who is also director of music and organist at St Andrew’s Church in Market Place, said: “A weekly rehearsal commitment is hard to balance with other musical activities which require one to be available at sometimes rather short notice.

“This together with an increasing workload of other musical commitments locally and beyond have meant that, reluctantly, I must give up directing Cantata.”

Mr Dewar, who has a background in church music having worked with Birmingham diocese, took on the position last November and is disappointed to be leaving.

He said: “Cantata has an ability to respond in performance to produce more than the sum of its rehearsals – a very positive trait.

“I believe it can build on this and, with vitality in planning, can maintain its deserved position in local music-making. I wish the choir every success.”

Mr Dewar, former assistant regional director for the Royal School of Church Music, is forming a small chamber choir of auditioned members and will be undertaking a programme of organ recitals around the country this year.

He will also be working with cornettist David Jarratt-Knock on a series of programmes.

Anyone interested in joining Cantata should visit www.chippenhamcantata.org.uk