ADRIAN Lucas, who has been conductor of Worcester Festival Choral Society (WFCS) for 15 years, will pick up the baton for the last time for the society’s spring concert in Worcester Cathedral on Saturday, March 24.

Mr Lucas, who has been cathedral organist and director of music since 1997, is stepping down to focus on starting up a recording company.

“Adrian has led us through many brilliant performances in his time with us at WFCS,”

said Mark Elliston, chairman.

“Two particular performances spring to mind. Both took place in 2004.

“They were Britten’s War Requiem, performed jointly with the City of Birmingham Choir, where he is also their director of music in Symphony Hall and his own work, commissioned by the society, Creation Canticles, which received critical acclaim.

“The society, which has many members in Malvern, last year celebrated its 150th anniversary and Adrian led us to a memorable performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.

“Adrian has undoubtedly left his mark on the musical life of this city and his contribution to the WFCS musical legacy has been outstanding, having followed in the footsteps of alumni such as Sir David Willcox, Christopher Robinson and Donald Hunt, all past conductors of WFCS.”

Announcing his move, Mr Lucas said: “I have decided that now would be a good time to let someone younger take charge of the music in this splendid institution, tackling the many challenges which lie ahead.

“For myself, I will be starting up my new recording company through which I hope to develop a wide range of activity, concentrating on choral and organ music, but also expanding out to include instrumental and orchestral work.”

His last concert with WFCS will be a performance of Bach’s St John Passion.

It starts at 7.30pm on March 24 and features Westminster Chamber Orchestra. Tickets cost from £15 to £25 with concessions and are available from Worcester Live Box Office, Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, WR1 3LD or by calling 01905 611427.