sentences:  Following five years as principal conductor Michael Thompson handed the baton to Peter Bassano and Tony Halstead who each conducted concerts with the orchestra during the next season.Peter Bassano was appointed Principal Conductor and with it the new title of Musical Director in 2009.Under Bassano the CRSO has broadened its repertoire to include music by Britten, Pärt, Prokofiev, Rautavaara, Souster, Stravinsky, Tippett and Walton, as well as introducing new works from student composers in the orchestra’s special relationship with the University of Kent and the Royal College of Music.