Alex has given brass band music a competition makeover and taken it to a whole new audience ... young people.
The 25-year-old cornet player devised a glitzy brass band concert in Holmfirth called Brass Factor to make it more appealing to a younger generation.
Since then Brass Factor has just grown so much it has expanded from Holmfirth – where it has been a continual sell-out and huge boost to the local economy – into other venues in Harrogate and Wetherby and now attracts 42 brass bands with an age range from six to 85. Last year the contest featured 450 musicians aged from six to 21.
Brass Factor has also raised more than £15,000 for local charities including the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, the Huddersfield Town Foundation and the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust.
Alex said: “It’s just unreal.
“It all began when I read an article in the newspaper that was concerned about the future of brass bands.
“Brass bands have inspired so many young people to achieve great things and I just didn’t want to see their heritage die.
“Now the event is attracting musicians from around the country.”
* The sponsor was First Bus and the runners-up were Create Space and Adam Blakey.
