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 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, light opera, brass and show bands 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 is currently Guest Conductor for Grimsby Symphony Orchestra and is busy establishing the Saints and Sinners Youth Orchestra 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 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 harpsichords and spinets, clavichords, small harps and beautiful wood and brass music stands. In real life, he is a science tutor and examiner. His qualifications include BA (Music), Open University; BSc (hons) (Biology), London, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, London.

Alan says it is a privilege and joy to conduct, and he especially enjoyed his audition at Isle of Axholme Orchestra.