4BR has been informed of the death of former Yorkshire Imperial Band conductor and principal cornet Alan Exley, aged 63. He died in hospital following a bravely fought battle with cancer, on Wednesday 23rd March.

Highly successful

Alan enjoyed a highly successful playing and conducting career — although his cornet playing started in the humble surroundings of Clayton West Band on third cornet with his life-long friend Kevin Wadsworth.

He later went on to play with Skelmanthorpe before joining Brighouse & Rastrick, where he was a member of the band that won the World Championship title in 1968 under the direction of Walter Hargreaves.

Respected

He subsequently became the highly respected principal cornet of Carlton Main and the Yorkshire Imperial Band, during an era when they were regarded as one of finest bands in the world — winning a third British Open in just over a decade in 1980, a series of Yorkshire Regional Championship victories and the National Championship of Great Britain title in 1978.

In later years he enjoyed himself as a valued member of the Kings of Brass.

Conducting

Alan's conducting career started with Ecclesfield Band in 1977, who he led to the Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain and Senior Trophy titles in 1978. He also enjoyed success with Askern Colliery and Dinnington Colliery amongst other before he returned to Yorkshire Imps in 1992.

Brass in Concert title

During his tenure the band not only won the Yorkshire Championship in 1993, but famously won the Brass in Concert title in 1995. He went on to enjoy further enjoyable tenures at a number of bands, where his knowledge and deep rooted love for brass banding enhanced and developed ensembles and players alike.

He became a wonderful cornet player and perceptive conductor, who always encouraged his bands to play with musicality. I will miss him hugelyKevin Wadsworth

Wonderful friend

Kevin Wadsworth told 4BR: "Alan was a wonderful friend and an exceptional musician. We may not have known it at the time but our banding lives were linked from the moment we joined Clayton West Band together on the same night on third cornet all those years ago.

He became a wonderful cornet player and perceptive conductor, who always encouraged his bands to play with musicality. I will miss him hugely."

Funeral details are yet to be announced.