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Death of Alan Webster is announced |
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Alan Webster joined St Albans City Band in 1952 and soon took on the
position of Principal Euphonium, a position he held until 1980. During
the 1950's and 1960's the band saw great success with Alan Webster as
Secretary - he was joined in 1968 by Nelson Morris as Musical Director
and together they took the band successfully through the next 15 years.
Alan's business-like approach to Band matters ensured that he and the
band were taken seriously by all who came across them. His success
concerning the band's financial matters resulted in the purchase of a
full set of new Boosey and Hawkes instruments in 1968 along with a new
set of oatmeal coloured uniform blazers designed by the haute coiture
designer Hardy Aimes. These uniforms abandoned the old style gold braid
and thick fabric and went for a very cutting edge design as would have
been expected from such a designer.
Following
his retirement from playing in 1980 he became the Band's Chairman, and
from 1983 to 1993 sponsored the band, during which time it became known
as 'Webster and Day's St Albans City Band', the name being derived from
the roofing company that Alan owned. His sponsorship and continued
association with the band ensured it's survival through a number of vicissitudes
during the 1980's. His reason for the sponsorship was that he wanted to
help the band reach it's centenary, in 1992, something that they have
now well surpassed. The success and position of the band today can be directly attributed to much of Alan's work over his many years at the helm.
In 1993 Alan retired to Brixham, Devon where he passed away on Tuesday 8th April 2008. His own memories of his forty year association with the Band can be read here : http://www.stalbansband.co.uk/content/view/18/27/
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