Alan Summers

Alan`s first steps in banding were taken at the age of 11 being taught by Ellerby Cox who was Bandmaster of his local band, The City of Lincoln Band. Beginning on trumpet he soon moved to Tenor Horn where he has settled ever since. At the age of 14 he was invited to take the Solo horn seat in the City Band. It was here Alan got his first experiences of contesting in the areas and other local contests. He enjoyed being a featured soloist with the band playing solos such as, If and Silver Threads Amongst the Gold at the many local events and concerts.

Three years later he was auditioned to join the Championship section band, Ransome Hoffman and Pollard Works Band enjoying nearly 10 years with them playing at the Nationals, British Open, Brass in Concert and many other national contests. During this time the band played concerts across the country and appeared on BBC radio and television. The band also toured Holland and Germany several times.

Alan left to take up the position of Solo Horn with the Foss Dyke Band and over the course of the following 6 years helped them to progress from the 4th section to the Championship section winning solo prizes at local entertainment contests.

It was during this time that Alan had private Music theory lessons with Dr Philip Marshall master of the Choristers and Organist at Lincoln Cathedral.Alan then took what he describes as “an annoying break from banding due to silly things like work commitments and getting married”.

After a 7 year break, he returned to Banding with Foss Dyke for a while before accepting the Position of Solo horn with Barton Town Band. With Barton he enjoyed considerable contest success culminating with an appearance at the National Brass band finals at the Royal Albert Hall. A very proud event for him because this was the first time any band from Lincolnshire had appeared at the finals in the Championship Section since his first teachers’ band had played there when Ellerby Cox was a boy back in 1922.    Barton played many concerts locally and this allowed Alan to extend the range of solos he played including Over the Rainbow, Lark in the Clear Air, Good bye to Love, Iona, and The Debutant. Alan then joined the EYMS Band playing at the National finals and the Grand Shield before again annoyingly work commitments and getting married (a second time) lead to him taking a break from banding.

Alan is very pleased to be back at The City of Hull Band and is looking forward to further success on the concert stage and in the contest field '' with this formidable combination.'' He has no further plans of returning to work or getting married again!