TAVISTOCK Town Band (Maestro's Music) is looking for a new musical director following the resignation of Tony Evans who has held the position for the past four years.

Mr Evans said there were a couple of people in the band who felt he 'wasn't doing the job correctly' and that 'caused a certain amount of unrest'.

However Tavistock Town Band chairman Brian Routledge said the band and Mr Evans 'parted on good terms'.

Mr Evans felt he did not have the continuing support of all of the band.

'And I didn't think I could lead them without the full membership behind me,' he said.

'So for the sake of the band and the four years I had been their musical director — plus the distance we had come — I felt it was time for a change.'

He said as well as the feeling of unrest, two meetings were held from which he was excluded.

Mr Evans said the committee then began controlling what music the band played — a decision he felt was his job to make.

'I resigned. They didn't ask me to go. I have no doubts about my own ability' said Mr Evans, who has led the band on to win six prizes in the last two years. Before that their last prize was in 1952.

As a result of his departure Mr Evans, who runs Maestro's Music in Tavistock and Plymouth with his wife Linda, will withdraw their sponsorship and their name from the band's title.

He says when he agreed to take on the role of musical director the band was 'a bit of a glee club'.

'I rallied the troops and got more people to join the band. We sorted out the wheat from the chaff and put on good, entertaining concerts so that local people would enjoy them,' said Mr Evans.

His most successful innovations with the band were the Last Night of the Proms and Christmas concerts which played to packed houses.

Mr Evans is philosophical about severing links with the band.

'I'm a bit disappointed but it has opened other doors to do something else. I don't feel resentful and I don't feel bitter.'

He said whoever took over would have a far better band to start with than he did. 'They have come so far and I wish them well.'

But added the band's recent successes had gone to some people's heads.

Tavistock Town Band chairman Brian Routledge said: 'At the end of the day he put in his resignation and whatever his reasons were we understand. There was absolutely no animosity whatsoever, We wish him all the best.'

Mr Routledge said the direction the band was taking now was what was agreed with Mr Evans and they were pulling out all the stops for a forthcoming area contest.

He said as chairman he had enjoyed close links with Mr Evans. 'The band has come on in leaps and bounds — this is due to a combined effort by the players and the musical director.'

The band has advertised for a new musical director.

Former Welsh National Opera singer Elaine Rockell, who has sung with the band, said she was 'very disappointed and upset' over the resignation.

Ms Rockell said she had been struck by Mr Evans' 'presence, determination and professionalism' when she had rehearsed with the band.

'He has really given Tavistock something to look forward to in the music field,' she said.

'Unless they get someone of a high standard pretty soon they will have no leadership and the band could either founder or drop its standard because every organisation needs strong leadership.'