Player Profiles
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Alan commenced playing the cornet aged 11 years with Newark Town Band. His father (a non player) was one of the founders of this band. By the age of 14 he was Principal Cornet of the band, and by progression via Soprano Cornet he eventually ended up as Solo Euphonium. In the 70s the band emerged as one of the top 3rd/4th section bands in the Midlands area under the guidance of Walter (Jock) Ritchie (now MD Fosse Dyke Band).
In 1976 Alan joined Calverton Colliery Band, a Midlands Championship Section band, firstly on Euphonium, and finally on Solo Baritone until he left the UK in 1978 to work abroad. Unfortunately, Calverton Colliery band no longer exist, but Newark Band, after a long period in the doldrums are on the road to recovery of full membership thanks to an old pal of Alan's, John Moore.
It was not until October 2001, when Alan visited the National Finals at the Albert Hall (with an old flame he tells us), that his love for brass bands was rekindled and he joined Letchworth Garden City Band on Baritone. In the summer of 2003 he was asked to play Solo Horn and although he enjoys the sound of the Tenor Horn (could never match the technique of Sheona White though) his love of the baritone/euphonium was never far away. Since August 2002 Alan has been assisting Watford Band on First Horn and when Martyn France asked him to take over the Solo Baritone seat the invitation was too tempting to turn down.
The lesson to be learnt from Alan's experience is that no one is ever too old to learn, and even players who have put to rest their brass banding days can rekindle their love of playing regardless of the number of years since they last played. All it takes is the desire, practice and a little hard work! Forget the Arban, buy the Charles Colin Complete Method, and watch your flexibility, range and stamina improve. At the end of the day it will be worth it.
