Having been raised in a Scottish mining town with a rich banding tradition, it might be fair to assume that composer, arranger, conductor and educator, Alan Fernie, fell in love with brass from the beginning – but that isn’t strictly the case, as he explains.

Eventually, though, Alan did catch the bug and has gone on to enjoy a diverse and fascinating career in the world of music, from nurturing the next generation to adding to his seemingly endless catalogue of compositions and arrangements.

Alan reflects on his musical journey so far, some of his major influences and his treasured experiences, including his involvement in the charity Brass for Africa.

But first, how is Alan faring in what continue to be some challenging times?

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