Alan Drever-Smith

Alan is a passionate and motivated musician who embraces every musical opportunity.

With over 10 years of experience, Alan started out as a jazz drummer and orchestral percussionist, expanding further into Latin and other genres. His talents continued to evolve, with Alan adding piano, musical direction and transcription to his skillset.

Studying Music at the University of Hull, Alan performed with a variety of university ensembles and took the time to really expand his performance skills. Graduating with a First Class honours degree, Alan also realised his passion for theatre pit bands- both as a conductor and band member. Alan is always pushing himself outside of his comfort zone; aiming to be the most versatile, creative, and adaptive musician he can be.

Alongside teaching roles with Hull Music Service and local schools, Alan enjoys performing around the country, directing various ensembles, and provides a high-quality musical transcription service.

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Percussion

Alan is as accomplished performing on untuned orchestral percussion as he is tuned, or Latin percussion; his rhythmic, vibrant playing is transferable across the whole percussion family.

During his time at university, Alan joined an eclectic mix of bands and smaller ensembles, including the university percussion ensemble and chamber ensembles. Freelance work with Sinfonia UK, Yorkshire Imperial Band, Hull Urban Opera, and various northern orchestras has seen Alan perform at venues around the country, including in national competitions.
Alan's love for Latin-American music has led him to roles in Latin/Jazz ensembles, further diversifying his performance skillset.

Alan is available to book as a solo percussionist for music competitions, band deputising, recording sessions, live performances and more. His adaptability and love for expanding his musical skills mean Alan enjoys every kind of performance style imaginable.

"nice"

Robert 'Sput' Searight, Snarky Puppy

Drumming

A confident and imaginative drummer, Alan delivers a great performance whether he’s leading a pit band from the kit, playing in a live jazz concert, or recording in the studio.

With regular jazz residencies throughout Hull, York, Leeds, and Manchester, including several years as the house drummer at the well-known jazz venue PAVE, Alan is happy playing within any kind of jazz ensemble.

Musical theatre is another genre where Alan boasts over 10 years performance experience. West Side Story, Les Miserables, The Wiz, Grease! the Musical, and Pirates of Penzance are just some of many shows Alan has been involved with.

Alan is available to book for live performances or studio drum kit sessions, and able to provide his own kit tailored to the gig. His versatile playing can be adapted to every genre from Latin to showtunes, pop to rock, jazz to brass band pieces and beyond.

Directing

Alan grew up on the stage. His love for musical directing started during his time at Hull University, where he directed a musical production with the Gilbert and Sullivan society. His work with a 60-person cast and orchestra was nominated “best musical director” at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

He has continued in roles as musical director with various local theatre companies, rehearsing casts of amateur and professional actors and musicians from both the baton and piano, as well as producing sheet music and audio libraries for productions.

His directing skills also extend to choral music; he has led choirs of local amateur singers, exploring songs in many genres and languages, teaching by rote and a cappella.

Whether you’re looking for a conductor, a rehearsal pianist, or a musical director with instrumental and vocal experience, Alan can help create the quality musical performance you envisage.

“Alan has undertaken several transcription projects for me, none of them simple! He has always delivered excellent results and has been very easy to work with.”

Matt Smith, saxophonestudies.com

Transcribing

As an avid Sibelius user, Alan has a real strength for musical transcription and arrangement. A keen ear, background in musical directing, performance experience, and his degree in music have helped equip Alan with the skills to create accurate, detailed, and well-presented transcriptions.

With a portfolio including classical, pop, contemporary, and jazz pieces, Alan can create arrangements for solo instruments, or larger arrangements for everything from small ensembles to large orchestra.

Teaching

Alan aims to enrich his own and others’ musical development through teaching.

With several years as Hull Music Service Drums and Percussion tutor, his Piano tutor role at St Cuthbert’s Trust, and Head of Percussion at Tranby School, Alan has created an impressive teaching portfolio.

Alan has experience teaching students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including students with a variety of additional educational needs. He is skilled at providing individual peripatetic tuition as well as whole class and small group tuition.

Alan can provide the following tuition options:

Drum kit
Percussion
Piano
Music Theory

With a knowledge of ABRSM, Rock School and Trinity Guildhall exam materials, Alan is happy preparing pupils for exams or just helping them develop their love of music. Virtual and face to face teaching options are available, with teaching style tailored to the individual.