Alan Widdop
Alan started his career studying trombone at the Royal Manchester College of Music, under the Halle Orchestra Principal Trombonist Terry Nagel. During his time at the college, he performed in both brass bands and orchestras and when he left there spent time in Kent as a professional player, before returning to Yorkshire to join Black Dyke Mills Band. Alan was a member of this band under well renowned Musical Directors Dr Roy Newsome, Geoffrey Brand, Michael Antrobus and Major Peter Parkes. Whilst he was there the band enjoyed copious prestigious contest wins, took part in several tours or Europe and recorded with esteemed soloists such as Don Lusher and Maurice Murphy. As well as performing with Black Dyke Alan was also teaching both in the UK and overseas at this time.
After leaving Black Dyke Alan joined James Shepherd Versatile Brass. Then followed more tours abroad, numerous CD and TV recordings and concerts throughout the UK. After his stint at JSVB Alan returned to professional playing and teaching, which included touring the country with many top artists and “session playing” with the likes of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. By this time Alan had also taken up Adjudication and conducting.
Alan’s first conducting roles were with the Todmorden Band and then the Whitworth Band, but he really made his conducting mark as MD of The Marsden band, where during his 12 years tenure he enjoyed much contest success and took the band from Third to Championship Section. He enjoyed similar successes with Uppermill band before, in 2016 returning to his winning ways with Marsden.
In more recent years he has successfully held the baton at both Diggle and Whitworth Vale & Healey. He is now keen to repeat his previous achievements with another Yorkshire band as he takes on the mantle at Lindley.
