Our Founder: Alan Bush
The WMA was founded by Alan Bush. Following a successful period as a student at the RAM he then studied composition with John Ireland. After a visit to Germany in 1929 and experiencing the Nazi Party's rise to power, his political convictions were re affirmed and he moved from the Labour Party to the Communist Party. He received several doctorates of music during his lifetime. He continued as President of the WMA until his death; attending and teaching at the WMA Summer School of Music and conducting the WMA Singers.. His influence still looms large within the WMA to this day.
Alan Dudley Bush, composer, conductor, pianist: born Dulwich 22 December 1900.
Professor of Composition, Royal Academy of Music 1925-78; conductor, London Labour Choral Union 1929-40; founder, Workers' Music Association 1936, President 1941-95; served Royal Army Medical Corps 1941-45; Chairman, Composers Guild of Great Britain 1947-48; author of Strict Counterpoint in the Palestrina Style 1948, In My Seventh Decade 1970, In My Eighth Decade and Other Essays 1980; married 1931 Nancy Head (died 1991; two daughters, and one daughter deceased); died Watford 31 October 1995.
For those interested in Alan's life just go to the 'free' section of the BFI at
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-alan-bush-a-life-1983-online