Alan Prather graduated from The University of Akron in 1991 with a Bachelor of Music degree and from Kent State University with a Master's Degree in Music Education in 2012.  While a student at the University of Akron, he was the assistant marching band director and jazz ensemble director at Cuyahoga Falls High School (OH).  After college graduation in 1991 he taught instrumental music, general music, and music theory in the Nordonia Hills City Schools (OH) until 1999.

     From 2004 until spring of 2014 Alan was on staff at New Life Church in La Plata, Maryland, as music director and worship leader.  In this position he not only led the worship ministry, but also wrote arrangements for the horn line and praise choir, as well as leading worship on a regular basis.  In September of 2014 Alan became the music director and worship leader at the California (MD) campus of First Saints Community Church.  In May of 2017 he accepted the position of Music Director/Worship Leader at the Leonardtown (MD) campus of First Saints Community Church.

     Since 1999 he has been the guitarist for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C.  In addition to his duties as the band’s guitarist, Alan serves as the leader of the Marine Band’s Jazz Orchestra and White House Dance Band, and co-leader, guitarist, and vocalist of the Marine Band's country and rock band, 'Free Country', which performs regularly in the Washington, D.C. area and at The White House.  He works as an arranger and has written arrangements for concert band, jazz ensemble, pop/rock horn charts, and choral music.  Alan is also a freelance musician and has performed with artists such as Roger Williams, The Fifth Dimension, The Youngstown Symphony, The Harrisburg Symphony, The Waynesboro Symphony, and Phil Keaggy.

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