Alasdair Harvey

began playing the cornet at the age of 10 in 1985. Whilst still at school he became a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland as well as winning Orkney Young Musician of the Year and the Audrey Barbour prize for brass.  Upon leaving school Alasdair studied trumpet at Napier University under Peter

Franks (Principal Trumpet Scottish Chamber Orchestra),winning the University prize for brass. Alasdair then spent 4 years studying trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester under the guidance of John Dickinson (former Principal Trumpet Halle Orchestra), Murray Greig (Principal Trumpet Opera North) and Martin Winter (Co-Principal Trumpet BBC Philharmonic).  Whilst a student at the RNCM.  Alasdair held the position of principal trumpet in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and latterly Camerata Scotland.  

It was during Alasdair’s time in Manchester that he became seriously involved in the Brass Band world initially as part of the RNCM Brass Band. Alasdair went on to appear for bands such as the British Telecom Band, Sellers Engineering Band as well as being Assistant Principal Cornet for the world famous Besses o’th Barn Band.

Having decided to follow a career in teaching Alasdair returned to Scotland in 2002 continuing his involvement in top level banding with Whitburn Band achieving many successes most notably runners up at the 2003 British Open. In 2004 Alasdair joined Scottish Co-Op Band where again he enjoyed major contest success as Champion Band of Scotland (2006) and All England International Masters Champions (2005).

Alasdair has worked as a secondary school music teacher since 2001. He was recently appointed to the post of Principal Teacher of Pastoral Care at Kirkwall Grammar School where he attended as a pupil himself. He successfully directs both the KGS Wind Band and KGS Big Band.

.Discography

Al can be heard playing on the following CD’s

Master Brass (Volume 17) - Highlights of the 2006 All England International Masters Championship

Regionals 2006 - Scottish Co-Op Band