YEOVIL NEWS: Wessex Big Band founder and former Preston School teacher named in Birthday Honours List

HUGE congratulations go today (Saturday, June 14, 2014) to Alan Brown – musical director and founder of the Yeovil-based Wessex Big Band – who has been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Mr Brown, of Langport, is well-known to many people throughout the Yeovil area for not only his work with the long-running Wessex Big Band – but also when he was a teacher at Preston Comprehensive School where he was head of the Wessex House tutor group.

But Mr Brown’s passion for music has shone through and today it has been officially announced that he has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music.

PHOTO - TOP: The British Empire Medal.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Alan Brown, centre, with members of the Wessex Big Band.

The band started life as Preston Youth Big Band in 1976 given Mr Brown’s association with Preston School. But ten years later it grew up and changed its name to the Wessex Big Band.

The band’s website states: “The band was formed by its musical director Alan Brown who, despite his thinning hair, still leads the band today.

“Alan has a real passion for the music of the big band and his enthusiasm and drive have inspired countless local musicians of all abilities to take part and perform with the band.”

Although Mr Brown has today been recognised for his musical achievements, he will be remembered well by thousands of former students of Preston School in Yeovil.

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