​Alan is a professional organist, choir director, and music teacher. He is greatly in demand by churches, playing the organ and directing choirs for Sunday church services, funerals, weddings, and other celebrations.

 

Alan studied music at the University of Leeds where his tutors were Peter Seymour (organ and harpsichord), Graham Barber (performance studies) and Philip Wilby (personal tutor). Alan later took organ lessons with Anne Marsden Thomas and Marilyn Harper in the UK, and Peter Westerbrink in the Netherlands. He is currently undertaking advanced studies with Francesca Massey.

 

Alan learned the piano from the age of 12, and later taught himself to play the organ when his local church needed an organist. He became Organist and Director of Music at St Luke’s, Woodside, South Norwood at the age of 16. Alan taught himself organ so well that, having passed his entrance audition in piano, he instantly persuaded his university tutors to allow him to swap to organ as his principal study. 

 

During his time in Leeds he was Organist and Director of Music at three churches: St Augustine’s, Wrangthorn; St Mark’s, Woodhouse; and All Hallows’, Hyde Park. Later he was occasional organist at St Chad's, South Norwood and occasional organist and choir director at St Mark's, South Norwood. 

 

Away from the organ bench, Alan studied for the public sector chartered accountancy qualification, eventually becoming Assistant Director of Finance for a large London authority. He retired a few years ago.

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Since then Alan has played in many settings for many different types of occasion. He has a passion for creating memorable musical experiences that enrich every occasion, and revels in the opportunities created by Penge Music to demonstrate the remarkable sonorities of the Penge Instrument, and share his love of organ music with many local residents who can now experience at first hand and close up both the gentle sensitivity and all-encompassing thrill of the instrument.

 

Alan has the following qualifications and certificates:-

 

* Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Music, University of Leeds

* Associate diploma of The Royal College of Organists (ARCO) - his professional 

  accreditation as an organist

* Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurances

* Enhanced DBS certificate​