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Alan Wilson became Director of Music at Queen Mary in 1976. There is no formal music faculty here but instead a lively music tradition thrives, given as extra-mural activities by students and staff. At the heart of the musical life is the output of the Music Society, which presents thematic based concerts related to music studied in the semester, the most important event being the Christmas Concert. Much research is undertaken by Alan, including new discoveries and transcriptions along with frequent re-arranging of standard repertoire. Original works and commissions include The Palace of Delights (A Musical from 1984), The Harmony of the Spheres (An inter-faith cantata from 2001) and The Downs (A cantata from 2007 set to words by Constance Maynard, the First Principal of Westfield College). Alan regularly organises music for both the Graduation Ceremonies and the William Harvey Memorial Service, along with many other occasions that require music. A CD was produced in 2001 and further projects are in the pipeline.
Alan was a scholar at the Royal College of Music and the Amsterdam Conservatorium. He specialised in Early Music (as a pupil of Gustav Leonhardt) and composition. Before arrival at QMC he was tutor of early keyboard instruments at Goldsmiths College and conductor of several school choirs. Between 1973 and 1986, he was Director of Music at the London University Church of Christ the King, which inspired many choral compositions, and then in 1986 became Organist at St. Mary-le-Bow, City of London (the famous Bow Bells church), a post he still holds. As harpsichordist and continuo player, he has performed in many countries, and for many years was the keyboard player in the celebrated group The Consort of Musicke. As composer, he regularly receives commissions from the UK and abroad, many works now published. He frequently composes/arranges and directs music for the BBC, most notably Radio 4's Daily Service, and also acts as a liturgical advisor in the work of the Royal School of Church Music.