After 30 years, one of the country's most influential musical figures is to retire as conductor of Blackburn Music Society. We spoke to Dr James Eastham.

WITH his white flowing hair and eyes shining with intellect and a little hint of mischief, Dr James Eastham quickly takes charge.

"I think we'll go over here," he says, leading me into the foyer of Blackburn's Leamington Road Baptist Church where he is about to hold a rehearsal.

But then Dr Eastham is used to being in control.

At the age of 75 he has announced he is to stand down as conductor of Blackburn Music Society, a post he has held for 30 years. In that time he has given the society of dedicated amateur singers the opportunity to perform at some of the country's top venues alongside some of the leading classical performers.

"From the start I set out to find out the true meaning of the word amateur," said Dr Eastham. "I envisaged the choral societiies from the Victorian era which brought everyone together through a love for music.

"Amateur does not mean less than adequate. I wanted to work with people, to bring out the feeling of everyone working together."

James Eastham was born in Darwen and always had a talent for music.

He has played piano all his life but it was as a French horn player that he toured the world as a member of the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 1975 he was living in what was then Rhodesia when he got an offer that he had to accept.

"I was asked to take up a position at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and along with that came the opportunity to take on a choir in Blackburn," he said. "I just thought that it was meant to be. After all, I would be returning home and I had to take it."

As conductor, Dr Eastham has challenged the society to perform at the highest levels.

"I think we have worked with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 17 times," he said. "For an amateur singer to share the stage with an orchestra is such a thrill. I have sought to pick out singers from the Royal Northern College of Music at the start of their careers and to give them experience of performing major works"

Among the leading soloists who have performed with Blackburn Music Society are Amanda Roocroft, Christine Read and Joan Rodgers.

As someone who has worked with professional musicians all his life, how did Dr Eastham make the transition to work with amateurs?

"I've always tried to emphasis what performing means," he said. "The quality of work that the society produces dosen't surprise me as I've tried very hard to take them out of their comfort zone. I have challenged them and encouraged them to look at the detail in a piece of music."

Conductors do have a reputation for being autocratic in their dealings with choirs and orchestras. Dr Eastham gives a wry smile when I ask if he has been a benevolent dictator during his time in charge at Blackburn.

"I have my way of how things should go and I know what needs to be done," he said. "But I hope that through intellect, enthusiasm and knowledge people appreciate what I am trying to achieve. You do need to be a diplomat but forceful when necessary.

"Professional musicians will probably get it at the first reheasal. We have between eight and 15 rehearsals, which gives us time to get it wrong first and then achieve what I am looking for. At the end of the day you should commit your heart to the experience. For me on a particular day that performance is the most important thing in the world."

Dr Eastham retires as conductor after a performance of Carmina Burana at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall at the end of the month but he will be the special guest conductor for a performance of Handel's Messiah at Blackburn Cathedral in December.

"The Messiah was the first piece I performed with the society and we have performed it every December since so it is fitting that that will be my last engagement," he said.

Brian Healey, chairman of Blackburn Music Society, paid tribute to Dr Eastham's contribution.

"JIm is very much a professional," he said. "He hasn't shirked from taking on the most challenging works in the full expectation that his vision will be realised. He can be a hard task master, although he has mellowed a little with age. But his attention to detail and knowledge of a piece is exceptional.

"He has allowed the society to share some of the biggest stages with first rate musicians and performers and has raised the bar for the society in terms of what we have achieved. He will be an extremely hard act to follow."

Anyone interested in the position of conductor or in joining the society can contact Mr Healey on 01254 51174.