The Grand Theatre, Lancaster  25th Feb - 1st March 2025

Ian Allan - Conductor, Musical Director, Teacher, Arranger

Rehearsing the Bonnie & Clyde band at The Dukes

Conducting The Kings Singers

Conducting his own arrangement of American Trilogy

Before settling in Cumbria, Ian spent twenty three years as a conductor, trombonist, pianist and harpist in the British Army. In common with most military musicians Ian is extremely versatile having conducted and performed with pit orchestras, jazz bands, orchestras, pop groups and big bands on an array of different instruments.

He has conducted professional bands and choirs at all levels which have included primary school demonstrations right up to and including royal occasions encompassing a wide variety of genres. The British Army had two professional choirs within its ranks, one of which was formed and conducted by Ian and in 2004 his choir was chosen to perform at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in front of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Ian toured the world as a musician and has played for the BBC's Royal Variety Performance and also led the fanfare team that heralded the reopening of the Brandenburg Gate in 1989. He is a prolific arranger having had several arrangements recorded commercially, some of which have subsequently been used by television companies for broadcast. For several years Ian was the trombonist in the nationally acclaimed Sights and Sounds of Christmas at Thursford, Norfolk where he and his wife, Tracie Penwarden met. He was chosen to conduct the music at the memorial service of  Desmond LLewelyn (James Bond's 'Q') in front of a host of James Bond stars and whilst Bandmaster at Epson College he arranged and performed the music for their 300th Anniversary Concert held at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ian now conducts Arnside Choral Society, teaches in the music department at Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale and also runs a choir for non-singers in Milnthorpe called The Raucous Chorus! He is currently Musical Director of That Face Theatre Company who perform at The Dukes in Lancaster and also Morecambe Amateur Operatic Society currently preparing for Sunshine On Leith at Lancaster's Grand Theatre.
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Upcoming Dates
21st December - Arnside Choral Society Christmas Concert - St James's Church, Arnside
24th February - 1st March - Annie - The Grand Theatre, Lancaster
June - TBA The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

From members of the pit...

"The cast were brilliant as were the musicians and MD... I can say quite truthfully that this past week was one of my most enjoyable 'theatre weeks' in the last 30 years".
"What a great week! Thanks everyone and well done, Ian"
​"One of the most enjoyable and memorable weeks of my career".