In 1981 the Waverley Singers found themselves without a musical director, and two guest conductors, Malcolm Hicks and Denys Darlow, were invited to stand in. Adverts for a replacement were put in Classical Music and Music and Musicians, and no fewer than 41 excellent candidates applied for the job. These ranged from new musicians keen to gain experience, to well known names such as the composer Dr Ruth Gipps. One person who hadn’t applied was Malcolm Hicks. So, one snowy Thursday evening, while he was waiting on the platform of Farnham station following one of the rehearsals he had taken as a guest, Malcolm was asked if he would like to apply for the job. During April the six short-listed applicants each took half a rehearsal (of Elijah) after which a secret ballot of the choir members was held. The result: Malcolm received over 90% of the votes.