Winchester City Festival Choir has appointed Barbara Hoefling as its new conductor and music director.

The choir, which is entering its second century of music-making, is keen to grow under her leadership.

She brings a wealth of international experience as a conductor and singer.

Plus, she is particularly interested in amateur choirs, choral sounds, and healthy voices.

Choir members have already expressed their enthusiasm for Ms Hoefling's appointment.

Caroline said: "She’s immensely energetic and good fun." Elspeth added: "She’s so enthusiastic."

Ms Hoefling grew up in Hanover, where she studied music as a violinist, conductor, and singer.

She has conducted European orchestras and choirs and worked in New York as the music director of the Deutscher Chor London, the associate chorus director of the London Symphony Chorus, and many others.

Her experience includes working with singers of all ages, participating in film projects, commissioning over 60 choral pieces, and combining music with different art forms, such as painting and plays.

Winchester City Festival Choir's next concert is on February 8, and it welcomes new singers to its open rehearsals on September 11 and 18.

For more information on Ms Hoefling, visit barbara-hoefling.de/.

Further details on the choir, go to www.wcfchoir.org/about.