A Londoner by birth, Alan is married with three children and ten grandchildren, most of whom are musicians or dancers. He began organising and conducting a combined choir and orchestra while still at school. He studied at the Northern School of Music, University College, London, Wolsey Hall and the Open University. He enjoys sharing his interest in science and music as a teacher in schools and privately, while playing many instruments of all kinds and conducting and developing youth, community and college symphony orchestras, brass and show bands, light opera and pantomime.

During ten years as Musical Director of Hessle Sinfonia, he collaborated with student, amateur and professional soloists, poets, painters, a ballet school, audiovisual professionals, choirs, composers and a musicians' physiotherapist. He took a season with Grimsby Symphony Orchestra and was guest conductor with Beverley Chamber Orchestra. He has conducted eleven performances with the year-old beginners' orchestra Saints and Sinners in Hessle. He takes part in chamber concerts such as the Baroque for Barnardo's, the Broadley Brandenburg series and the annual Hessle RNLI concerts he initiates.

He makes no claim as a composer, but all his works and many arrangements, have been performed, including his Pied Piper of Hamelin for flute, narrator and orchestra and the two Fanfares for choir. In his spare time, he has designed and built many harpsichords, spinets, clavichords, small harps and beautiful wood and brass music stands.

Alan says that it is a privilege and joy to conduct, and he especially enjoys working with the Isle of Axholme Orchestra, where he was a player.