Alan took over as Musical Director at the beginning of 2007. He has played in brass bands at most levels and started his playing with the Glasgow Schools brass band on Principal Tenor Horn. At this time he also played in the Allen Glenn’s Further Education Brass Band (CWS Youth) as Principal Euphonium. Later Alan joined the RAF where he played in many RAF Voluntary bands. Both during his Service and since retiring in 1998, Alan has played Euphonium with Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol and Corsham bands, and baritone with The City of Oxford band. Alan can occasionally be found helping out bands at contests and concerts on baritone, euphonium, bass and percussion, although not all at the same time!
Alan started conducting with the RAF Locking Voluntary Band, then moving on to Wooten-Under-Edge where he saw them promoted from the 3rd to the 2nd section. From this point Alan started to take conducting more seriously and joined the City of Oxford band as a player, but assisted professional Musical Director, Nigel Taken, on a number of occassions, including conducting the band in their first TV appearance, an episode of “Midsomer Murders”. Following this Alan became Musical Director of Sherbourne in the 1st Section.
Upon Leaving the RAF Alan undertook and passed his BA(Hons) in Band Studies, studying conducting with Richard Evans and Howard Snell, composition with Arthur Butterworth, and arranging with Darrol Barry. As a result of this Alan has a number of original pieces and arrangements for brass band published.
For the 3 years prior to joining Gillingham Band Alan has been Musical Director for Avonbank Evesham Brass Band.
Alan has a recording business, Big E Recordings, where he has recorded many brass bands and soloists including the renowned Brett Baker. He has also adjudicated solo, duet, ensemble and entertainment contests. Alan is adjudicator for the Youth and Training Bands at the Wessex Brass Band Association winter contest in December 2007. Alan says the skills needed for recording a performance and judging one are the same, but the customer is generally happier with a recording!