Staff
Allan Dumbreck
BSc
Senior Lecturer and Subject Leader for Commercial Music
allan.dumbreck@uws.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1292 886386
Fax: +44 (0) 1292 886371
Research Interests
Commercial Music / Music Education
Profile
A session musician for 8 years working internationally with mainstream acts and major labels, Allan has now been involved in music education at FE and HE level for over 22 years. He has been a senior lecturer in Commercial Music at UWS since March 2001 He is author and editor of the Music Education Directory, the primary source of information on music courses at University, College and training level in the UK, now in its 9th edition. Writing, setting up and running 2 degrees, 2 HNDs and 3 HNCs has given Allan considerable insight into programme structure and delivery methods. As Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Commercial Music he has assisted graduates into positions with Warner Music, the Kaiser Chiefs, DF Concerts and the BBC amongst others. International co-ordinator for exchange mechanisms with France, Germany and Canada, he is also a member of the cross party group for music within the Scottish Government.
Professional Experience
Music Education
March 2001 – date University of the West of Scotland Course Leader (BA Hons Commercial Music)
Establishing, managing and developing newly formed BA (Hons) Commercial Music
Wrote and validated new degree course in six weeks
Engaged staff, interviewed 200 candidates and began teaching within six months
Established industry initiatives (student placements, guest lecturers)
Achieved significant media exposure for course.
Course became most popular on University information hotline (July 2001)
March 1999 – March 2001 James Watt College Head of School (Music)
Managing and developing newly formed School of Music and Audio Technology
School doubled student numbers in two years to become best performing and fastest growing school within College
Developing and Implementing HND/HNC Courses
HND Music Performance and Promotion, HNC Music Industry Management,
HNC Dance Music
Developing and implementing music industry initiatives
College record label contracted to scout (A&R) for Island Records in Scotland
European DJ and band exchange programmes / placements
1998 – 1999 University of Westminster Level 1 leader / Senior lecturer
Developed and implemented structure of degree course - BA Commercial Music (including technology, creative and business elements, selection and
employment of lecturing staff and course budgeting)
Developed and Implemented Music Industry Initiatives
Production company (to record / re-mix and release student’s material)
Music business group (discussion group with students and leading industry figures)
Promotions group (set up to attract touring acts to Univ. venue)
1991 – 1998 North Glasgow College Course co-ordinator / Lecturer
Developed and implemented successive music courses (Business / Creative)
HNC / HND Music : Performance and Promotion
NC Music : Performance and Promotion
Developed and Implemented Music Industry Interactive Initiatives
Formed college based record, publishing, promotions, market research and publications companies (Grossing £37k in 1997/98)
College record label contracted as A&R (new artist scouts) for EMI records UK in Scotland
Conducted market research for Creation Records, Music Week and DF Concerts.
1986 - 1991 Jewel & Esk Valley College Lecturer
Co-writer of HNC / HND Modern Musicianship courses
Assisted Russian exchange programme. (Music co-operative, Moscow)
1985 - 1991 Music Tutor / workshop co-ordinator2. Session Musician
1990-94 Various signed acts inc. Thrum, River Detectives Musical director / Key. / Acc.
1989-90 Slice (Circa Records) Musical director / Key. / Acc.
1988-89 Horse (Capitol Records) Arranger / Key. / Acc.
1986-87 The Big Dish (Virgin Records) Keyboards / B. Vocals
Through eight years of session playing I was involved in recording, performing and broadcast in Europe and America. Further available details on request.
Additional Information
2002 Commissioned by all UK music trade organisations to undertake research into the future of a proposed Sector Skills Council for the UK music industry. Currently head of Music Industry Roadshow panel (incorporating all music industry trade bodies and BBC Radio 1) to co-ordinate a nationwide series of seminars and live performances i
October 2002.
2000 Member of Scottish Executive’s Music Industry Forum advisory panel. Instigator of (and consultant to) Scottish Enterprise for “The Value of Music in Scotland” report
1999 Consultant / Co-writer of materials for HM Govt’s “New Deal for Musicians”
Author of music business units for BA Applied Music, Strathclyde University
Member of Scottish Enterprise’s “Scanners” advance planning ‘think-tank’ group
1996-present Initiated and developed with the BPI the Music Education Directory (Editor). Financed and supported by the industry. Annual commission with print run of 12000 distributed free to schools, job centres, educational establishments and the music industry. Licensed MED web site.
1996-present Founded national music education forum to facilitate dialogue between (and representation for) all current music education / training courses. Meetings :- BPI, Nov. ’96; LIPA, May ’97; Salford Univ., June ’98; Univ. of Westminster, Feb ’99; City College Manchester, Dec ‘99, BPI, May '01
1995/96 Music education advisor to Glasgow District Council ‘10 Day Weekend’ events