MUSIC

The Valley Master Chorale, based in the San Fernando Valley, announced Monday it has changed directors. Gerald Eskelin, who is also director of the L.A. Jazz Choir, has resigned and has pulled out of next month’s series of concerts. A spokesman said that Eskelin would be replaced by John Alexander, conductor of the Northridge Masterworks Chorale, and that “in all likelihood” the two groups would merge as the Valley Master Chorale. Associate conductor Allan Davies will conduct May’s concerts. Eskelin said in a prepared statement that he was resigning due to “intolerable actions on the part of (the chorale’s) board of directors.” Spokesman Tom Marshall said the board was not planning to renew Eskelin’s contract this year.