Music was Alan’s life. He was a highly respected musician and encouraged many young people to enjoy music. Growing up in Beverley, East Yorkshire, Alan learned to play the violin from the age of 7, before joining the National Youth Orchestra at 14. Besides the violin, he was a self taught trumpeter and joined the Band of the Grenadier Guards as a Band Sergeant Major after serving for 23 years.
On his return to Cumbria Alan joined several bands, playing with them for over 20 years. He was the bandmaster of the Border Concert Band for 15 years and regularly played with Cliff Eland Big Band, City of Carlisle Orchestra and Heidi and the Soul Merchants. He joined the music department of William Howard School, Brampton, where he taught students String and Brass instruments, running may ensembles as well as lessons. Alan encouraged his pupils to take part in the Festival and conducted and played in it himself many times.