Alan Thorogood

Alan's involvement in orchestral playing began whilst living in Essex, during which time he led orchestras at school and county levels. He chose not to take up music as a career, instead serving as a police officer with the Royal Hong Kong Police and Metropolitan Police. During these years he was actively involved as either section principal or leader of several ensembles, playing at most of the major concert halls in London and around the country. He was a founder member of the British Police Symphony Orchestra, which he led for much of its first twenty years in concerts at home and abroad.

Alan's retirement in 2014 from the police service has enabled him to focus on a wide range of musical activities as a freelance player. He has regularly been invited to play as part of the Endellion and Minehead music festivals, to assist at various summer music schools and as guest leader of orchestras in London and further afield. Music has taken Alan around the world, touring in locations as far afield as Russia, Israel, India and the Seychelles. He has been fortunate to play under the direction of conductors from older and younger generations, including Sir Colin Davis, Sir Neville Marriner, Nicholas Collon and Robin Ticciati, as well as working with outstanding soloists from both eras such as Ida Haendel, Willard White, Guy Johnston and Nicola Benedetti. He is in demand as a chamber musician on both violin and viola.

Alan plays on an English violin, made by Edward Pamphilon in the latter part of the seventeenth century.