UWS is marking 25 years of its Commercial Music degree, which has supported thousands of students since its launch, with a special anniversary event bringing together alumni, current students and staff who have helped shape Scotland’s music scene.

The celebration marks a quarter-of-a-century since the first cohort joined the BA (Hons) Commercial Music programme at UWS’s Ayr campus in September 2001. Since then, the course has grown into one of Scotland’s best-known music degrees with more than 2,000 graduates going on to work across the music and creative industries in roles spanning performance, events, promotion, management, recording, education and production.

The anniversary event, 25 Years of Commercial Music – A Celebration, took place at Barras Art and Design (BAaD), Glasgow, on Wednesday 20 May. The live event was a celebration of all those who have helped define the course over the years, with live music, special guests and awards.

While the celebration took place in Glasgow, the story it honours began in Ayr where UWS has, for 25 years, built a creative community around performance and industry engagement. From its home at the Ayr campus, Commercial Music has helped generations of students develop the skills needed to thrive in Scotland’s music sector and beyond.

Commercial Music at UWS grew from an original vision into a Scottish music school inspired by the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Musician and songwriter Benny Gallagher, of Gallagher and Lyle, approached Allan Dumbreck to develop the academic programmes and lead the initiative, while the late Jim Prime helped raise funds through live shows. In July 2024, Benny Gallagher was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UWS in recognition of his contribution to the music industry and his role in the development of the Commercial Music course.

Thanks to strong industry links and established networks across further education, higher education and the Scottish music sector, the course recruited 80 students in its first year, 80 in its second and has attracted more than 150 students a year ever since.

Allan Dumbreck, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Commercial Music at UWS, said: “What makes this anniversary so special is not only the longevity of the programme, but the community that has grown around it.

 

From the very beginning, Commercial Music was built on strong industry connections, creative ambition and a belief that students in the west of Scotland should be able to access a music education rooted in the realities of the profession.Twenty-five years on, our graduates have gone on to make their mark across the industry, and this celebration is a chance to recognise their achievements, honour colleagues who helped build the programme and look ahead to the next generation of talent.

 

Aja Garrod-Prance, General Manager of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said “For 25 years, the Commercial Music course at UWS has played an important role in shaping creative talent and driving innovation in music education. With two members of the SMIA team having studied on the course, this anniversary is especially meaningful for us. We’re excited to see what the next 25 years hold and to continue working with UWS to strengthen the connection between education and the music industry.”

The event also paid tribute to the late Jim Prime of Deacon Blue, a long-standing colleague who gave more than 20 years of academic service to Commercial Music. This year’s Commercial Music Values Award was dedicated in his memory and his contribution to both UWS and the wider music industry will be recognised through a mini-documentary shown as part of the showcase.