ONE of Woodford Green's longest established choirs has a new face at the top.

Joanna Newell has taken over the chairmanship of The Crofton Singers following the departure of Diana Newlands who had been at the helm for seven years.

A former Forest School pupil, Joanna, 25, studied music at Cardiff University and is a former member of the London Symphony Chorus and Forest Philharmonic Orchestra.

During her summer holidays, she took a development internship with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and also worked in San Francisco’s 24 hour Virgin Megastore on the Classical Music and Jazz section help desk.

After graduation she was offered the post of development officer at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and now is development manager at Soho Theatre.

The Crofton singers have a repertoire ranging from sacred to modern music and meet every Thursday at Bancrofts School, in Woodford Green High Road.

For more information visit croftonsingers.org.uk.