The Three Choirs Festival, one of the world’s leading classical and choral festivals, has appointed Dr Paul Hedley to the role of General Manager.

Dr Hedley was selected from a short list of 27 candidates following a national application process. He has wide ranging experience as a professional musician and festival administrator – he was the administrator for the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival 2007, which, despite the logistical issues of the Severn floods, and the collapse of a conductor at a key rehearsal, was an unmitigated success, with the entire 60 concert programme delivered to appreciative audiences.

This appointment is part of a developmental plan to restructure the management of the Three Choirs Festival Association, in order to support the local administrators and volunteer managers with a permanent professional core of management. The Festival, rotating between the cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, has to date been superbly run by local committees in each city. The appointment of the General Manager will ensure that these local committees are fully supported in their work. It will also ensure the development of the central functions on which each committee is reliant.

Bernard Day, Association Chairman, says, “The new structure enables this historic festival to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. It will go from strength to strength.”

This forward-thinking developmental project is endorsed by Arts Council England: West Midlands, who assisted with the recruitment process. Andrew Miller, Music Officer considers this support “a ringing endorsement of the festival at a time when funding for the arts is under great pressure.”