Al Dobson is a Lecturer in Contemporary Music and Course Coordinator for the undergraduate Music programs at the Hedberg, School of Creative Arts  and Media in the College of Arts, Law and Education.  As a creative practitioner, he has extensive experience across a diverse range of styles and ensemble situations as both a performer and composer/arranger.

Biography

Alistair Dobson is an improvising saxophonist.  As an undergraduate student, he studied with Elliot Dalgliesh before moving into a Masters program under the guidance Australian Jazz Hall of Fame member, the late Brian Brown (OAM).  In 2001 was awarded his Masters degree where his research project focused on collective improvisation – an area he is now a leading exponent as both a practitioner and educator. He began teaching at Utas the following year in a sessional capacity, before commencing an ongoing academic position in 2007.

Al is currently the Undergraduate Course Co-ordinator and Learning & Teaching and Co-ordinator for the music programs at the Hedberg, in the School of Creative Arts and Media.  Additionally, he lectures in Contemporary Saxophone, Improvisation, Big Band, and Jazz Theory and Aural.

As a performer, composer and arranger, his work has featured on national live to air broadcasts, festival appearances, and numerous commercial recordings. He has an international performance history and has performed with artists such as Petra Haden (USA), Brian Jackson (USA), Rex Richardson (USA), and Dorian Ford (UK).  At home has performed with some of Australia's finest Jazz artists including Allan Browne, Kristin Berardi, Bob Sedergreen, Nick Haywood, Tony Gould, Eugene Ball, David Theak, Ted Vining, and Dave Panichi. He has also featured with commercial groups/artists such as The Balck Arm Band, Boy and Bear, Michel Spiby, and Jo Jo Smith.  Currently, he is an active member of 'Kelly Ottaway's Modern Operative', 'Let The Cat Out', 'Konrad Park Quartet', his own Trio and Quartet, as well as maintaining an active freelance performance profile.

Career summary

Qualifications

• MMus, University of Tasmania, Australia, 2001.
• Bmus, University of Tasmania, Australia, 1999.

Memberships

Professional practice

• APRA/AMCOS full writer member

Administrative expertise

As the undergraduate course coordinator and in conjunction with the school executive, Al has had oversight several music degrees during his time at Utas. This has included a wide range of academic administrative responsibilities including course architecture, curriculum mapping, unit content design, assessment design and unit delivery.

Teaching

Teaching expertise

Al has experience teaching across a wide range of subject areas in cluding instrumental studies, history, performance, ensemble studies, improvisation, theory and aual, musicianship training a creative project work.

Currently he is the unit coordinator for the Music Practice suite of units, which house all the variety of music specialisations on offer at the Hedberg.  FCA111, FCA112, FCA211, FCA212, FCA311, FCA312.

Current teacing responsibilities include:

FCA120 Tools, Teachniques and Sound

FCA119 Tools, Techniques and Digital Audio

FCA201 Arranging and Music Creation

FCE105 Ensemble Skills 1

FCE106 Ensemble Skills 2

FCE234 Ensemble Skills 3

FCE235 Ensemble Skills 4

FCA106 Music and Place

FCA107 Music and Spectacle

FCA208 Music and Politics

FCA209 Music and the Future