Dr Christopher Allan
Honorary Senior Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci (Music)
- Email:christopher.allan@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 8920
Career Summary
Biography
Research Expertise
Much of my research has been performance based. I specialize in Baroque and Classical period performance and have been involved in many performances using period instruments at various baroque pitches and using a number of differing temperaments. As well as early music I have been involved in the presentation of new music including works by Australian composers. Some of the performances have been with The Song Company, some with Cantillation and also at the UoN. My recently submitted PhD Thesis was an investigation of some aspects of vocal pedagogy centered around the developing singer (aged between 18 -21) and based on the work of voice scientists over the last 30 years. I have presented two papers on aspects of such pedagogy in the UK at the National Early Music Conference (July 2009) and at the Arts Health Symposium at the University of Newcastle in October, 2010. My further interests are in the symmetrical nature of the body as applied to singing technique and the effect that asymmetry can have on the vocal apparatus and the resultant sound that the singer is able to produce. Further research has been undertaken in the area of cross-genre vocal teaching and in the usefulness of a common language to describe the action of singing across multiple genres of music.
Teaching Expertise
My area of expertise is in the teaching of the classical singing voice. The core business of the University of Newcastle Bachelor of Music course means that the majority of students are between the ages of 18 and 21. At this age the voice is under development and students are required to both develop their musical instrument and their musicality at the same time. I have developed a teaching philosophy which promotes a holistic approach to vocal technique that incorporates a number of technical pedagogies based on the need to offer students a variety of approaches due to the individual nature of the voice and the personality and physicality of each singer. I have also taught into areas of historical studies of western music including those of the Baroque, the Classical and Romantic Periods and Twentieth Century Music.
Administrative Expertise
Since 2001 I have been course coordinator for MUSI subjects. From 2005 - 2008 I was Deputy Head of School for the School of Drama, Fine Art and Music (incorporating the Conservatorium). From 2004 - 2008 I served as the School Academic Conduct Officer (SACO) and from 2006 - 2008 as the School Complaints Officer. I have had experience in the development of new courses for the School of Music and have served on the Faculty Board from 2005 - 2009. From July 2011 - December 2015 I served as Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts. During 2016 I served as Deputy Head of School, Teaching and Learning for the School of Creative Arts.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Associate in Music Australia, Australian Music Examinations Board
- Bachelor of Education (Music), University of Newcastle
- Master of Music, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Breath management of classical voice
- Considerations of postural alignment for optimal vocal production
- Developmental strategies for young singers
- Holistic teaching methods
- Musicology
- Tuition in classical voice
- Vocal pedagogies and breathing techniques
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Senior Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Creative Arts Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2017 |
Carfoot G, Millard B, Bennett S, Allan C, 'Parallel, series and integrated - modes of tertiary popular music education.', The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Music Education, Routledge, Oxford (2017) [B1]
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Nova |
Journal article (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2017 |
Van Gend M, Matthias P, Scott NB, Allan C, 'Adolescent Girls Changing Voices: Re-thinking Classification', Australian Voice, 18 1-13 (2017) [C1]
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Nova | |||
2013 | Matthias (Nee Lannen) B, Worrall L, Alston M, Sweetapple A, Marley J, Allan C, 'From soundwaves to brainwaves: investigating the effects of choral singing on recovery from stroke and aphasia', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, 8 49-49 (2013) [E3] |
Conference (8 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2017 |
Van Gend M, Matthias P, Allan C, Scott NB, 'Australian Adolescent Voices: Rethinking the Choir', ASME XXI National Conference Proceedings, RMIT Melbourne (2017) [E1]
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Nova | |||
2015 |
Allan C, Carson S, 'Finding the synergies: Adapting a curriculum to encompass classical and contemporary singing in a university vocal techniques class', ANATS National Conference 2015 - Singing Futures: Pedagogies, Practices and the Digital Age., Hobart, Tasmania (2015)
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2013 | Matthias B, Worrall L, Alston M, Marley J, Allan C, 'From Soundwaves to BrainWaves: Investigating the effects of choral singing on recovery from stroke and aphasia', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE (2013) [E3] | ||||
2012 |
Allan C, Carson SL, 'Finding the synergies: Adapting a curriculum to encompass classical and contemporary singing in a university vocal techniques class', Performer's Voice 2nd Symposium "Horizons Crossing Boundaries", Singapore (2012) [E3]
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2012 | White C, Cook IR, Allan C, 'My self, then my self: The ephemeral performer in 'the breathing space projects'', Performer's Voice' 2nd Symposium, Singapore (2012) [E3] | ||||
2012 | Allan C, 'Helping the young soprano bring emotional truth to seventeenth- and eighteenth-century recitative through the use of speech mode', Singing music from 1500 to 1900: Style, technique, knowledge, assertion, experiment. Proceedings of the National Early Music Association International Conference, in association with the University of, York, North Yorkshire (2012) [E1] | Nova | |||
2012 |
Lannen B, Worrall L, Alston M, Marley JE, Allan C, 'From Soundwaves to Brainwaves: Investigating the effects of choral singing on stroke and aphasia rehabilitation', International Journal of Stroke, Darling Harbour, Sydney (2012) [E3]
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2010 | Allan C, 'The Singer's Dilemma: Perceptual problems facing the developing classical singer', ArtsHealth Symposium - Space and Wellbeing, Newcastle, NSW (2010) [E3] | ||||
Show 5 more conferences |
Creative Work (18 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2017 | Allan C, Atmospheres - Music for the Soul Newcastle University Choir, Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle NSW (2017) | ||||
2017 |
Walker SKA, Halton R, De Dona J, Allan C, Crosby R, Crosby B, Manning A, Baroque and Beyond #2 - Sally Walker, Rosalind Halton and the Nova Praetorians., Univeristy of Newcastle Gallery, Newcastle, Australia (2017)
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2016 | Allan C, Pomp and Circumstance: English Art Music of the Early Twentieth Century, Christchurch Cathedral, Newcastle (2016) | ||||
2015 | Allan C, Walker S, Modern Masterpieces, University of Newcastle Great Hall (2015) [J2] | ||||
2015 | Walker SKA, Allan C, Performance of Sally Walker's amalgamation of the orchestral flute and violin/piano version violin part of Bartok's "Rumanian Dances" for flute/piccolo (Sally Walker) and piano (Christopher Allan)., Great Hall, University of Newcastle, Newcastle (2015) [O1] | ||||
2013 |
Halton R, Allan C, Hoadley B, Walker S, Concert for a New Era: Monody by Claudio Saracini (1624); Vivaldi, Sonata for flute, bassoon, and basso continuo
Christopher Allan (baritone); Sally Walker (flute); Ben Hoadley (bassoon); Rosalind Halton (harpsichord, editor of Saracini pieces), Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle, Newcastle (2013) [J2]
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Nova | |||
2013 | Walker SKA, Allan C, Coco Nelgatti "El Cronopio" performed by Sally Walker, flute and Christopher Allan, piano, Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (2013) [J2] | Nova | |||
2013 | Allan C, Encore: Selected works for mixed voice choir, ChristChurch Cathedral, Newcastle, Sydney (2013) [J1] | Nova | |||
2013 | Allan C, XII Festival Internationale Di Music E Arte Sacra, Basilica of St Ignatious Loyola, Rome, Italy, Rome, Italy (2013) [J2] | ||||
2002 | Spiers CJ, Smith GM, Allan C, Concert September 16th Colin Spiers (Piano) Greg Smith (Piano) Christopher Allan (Baritone), Ellicott - Variations on a Bach Chorale (Spiers/Smith), Woods - Satin Sounds (Spiers/Allan), Newcastle Conservatorium, Newcastle Conservatorium (2002) [J2] | ||||
Show 15 more creative works |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 1 |
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Total funding | $12,551 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20131 grants / $12,551
Brainwaves: The impact of choral singing on community dwelling stroke survivors$12,551
Funding body: National Stroke Foundation
Funding body | National Stroke Foundation |
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Project Team | Conjoint Professor John Marley, Mrs Bernadette Matthias, Doctor Christopher Allan, Professor Linda Worrall |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2013 |
Funding Finish | 2013 |
GNo | G1201078 |
Type Of Funding | Grant - Aust Non Government |
Category | 3AFG |
UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | PhD | Sensational Synthesis: An Investigation of the Art of the Female Professional Singer's Performance of Multiple Vocal Genres | PhD (Music), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
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2021 | PhD | The Impact of Group Singing on Stroke Recovery: A Feasibility Study of the BrainWaves Choir | PhD (Medicine), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2020 | PhD | Wiring the Singer. Classical Voice and the Microphone | PhD (Music), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2019 | PhD | Australian Mixed-Voice Secondary School Choirs: A Case Study of Changing Voices | PhD (Music), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2013 | Masters | Performance Fitness: Physiological Benefits of Aerobic Exercise for Performing Singers | M Philosophy (Music), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Dr Christopher Allan
Position
Honorary Senior Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
College of Human and Social Futures
Focus area
Music
Contact Details
christopher.allan@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 8920 |
Fax | (02) 4921 8958 |
Office
Room | CON.311 |
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Building | The Conservatorium of Music |
Location | The Conservatorium Cnr Laman and Auckland Street Newcastle, NSW 2300 Australia |