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Music veteran Alan Gough has spoken of his surprise after being awarded an MBE by His Majesty The King for services to music in Guernsey.
Mr Gough arrived in Guernsey in 1981 to become the nascent Schools Music Services’ first woodwind teacher, a role he held for 20-years.
Since then, he has maintained a deep and varied involvement in the local music scene such as the Chamber Choir and Orchestra, and youth jazz groups, helping to raise money most years for charity along the way.
“I got involved with all sorts of other groups; conducting, choral, orchestral society, started off the Guernsey Chamber Choir, more recently Guernsey Symphonic Winds and the Guernsey Bach Choir, so I’ve been involved with all sorts over the years
“I was very surprised to be nominated for an award, but also very proud and grateful to be given such an honour,” he told Express.
Mr Gough said the music scene has evolved since he arrived in the island: “Music over the last 40 years has just improved incredibly. There are so many groups over here now that have got people involved in them who went through the system and went through the Schools Music Service and still are here, and it's still growing.
“The musical talent on the island is amazing for the size of the place.”
Pictured: The Bach Choir was formed in 2007. Credit: The Guernsey Bach Choir.
Charitable work has been an increasing element for him locally too: “That part of it is lovely... we’re able to help even if it is a small amount, it gives you a nice feeling to be able to do it.
“The last few years Guernsey Symphonic Winds, with the Bach Choir actually, have done concerts in November which have helped the Poppy Appeal. We’ve done concerts on Remembrance weekend in St. James, with sponsorship as well helping us.
“We’ve raised about £1,000 each year which has been absolutely fantastic, and it’s grown and grown. People really enjoy that particular concert and what it means. It’s a really memorable one now.
Two weeks ago, symphonic winds played in Sausmarez Park just as an outdoor event and we handed a bucket round at the end and raised £200 for the Dyslexia Daycare Centre.
They have also been involved with a charity that helps families stay in accommodation for cancer treatment in Southampton
Music was a passion he quickly become proficient in while young, Mr Gough said.
“I wasn’t academic at school by any means. Year 8 - age 12 I suppose - we did class music in school and the music teacher at the time said I showed promise, and he asked me if I wanted to learn to play an oboe as the school had one. At the time I didn’t know what an oboe was!
“But I said yes anyway, and I suppose I just took to it like a duck to water, it just seemed quite natural to me. I just shone at it and then kept on going. Once I left school, I just knew I wanted to go to music college. I got accepted at the Royal Academy of Music in London and did four years there.
Pictured: Mr Gough (top left) is one of four honours recipients in the Bailiwick. Kevin Adams (bottom left) received the BEM, David Warr (bottom right) received an OBE and the Bailiff, Richard McMahon (top lef) has been knighted.
Now and going he forward he doesn’t see any reason to stop what he loves.
“I enjoy what I do, I really do. I love working with people who want to make music, old and young. It’s just great bringing people together to make music and I want to try and continue doing that for as long as I can, until someone tells me I don’t think you should be doing it anymore,” he said.
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