 Distinguished Handelian scholar Denys Darlow succeeded Cuthbert Bates as musical director in 1980 and remained in the post until 1990.He was followed by Nigel Perrin, who has been conducting the CBBC ever since.Perrin began his musical life as a chorister at Ely Cathedral, then won a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge, studying under Sir David Willcocks.