Kevin Gowland appointed Director of Woodwind (Deputy Head of School of WBP)

The RNCM has appointed Kevin Gowland as Director of Woodwind (Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion), commencing in April.

Kevin studied flute at the Royal College of Music with Susan Milan, before being appointed by Sir Simon Rattle as Flute Section Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for 17 years. In 2005, Kevin left the CBSO to become Principal Flute with the Orchestra of Opera North.

As a concerto soloist Kevin has collaborated with Valery Gergiev, Sir Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo, Paavo Järvi, Sir Mark Elder, Christian Gansch, Nicholas McGegan, Nicholas Kraemer and Richard Farnes, covering a wide spectrum of the flute concerto repertoire. He has also appeared as Guest Principal Flute with the UK’s foremost orchestras, including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Philharmonia, Hallé, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and has performed as a recitalist in prestigious venues and festivals such as the Purcell Room, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Dewsbury Town Hall, and the Cheltenham and Warwick Arts Festivals.

He said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the RNCM’s School of Wind, Brass and Percussion in my new role and look forward to developing our students through innovative and exciting projects.

‘There is a rich history of excellence within the School and I hope to continue and develop this through collaboration and drawing on the experience of my varied orchestral background.’

In addition to his busy orchestral and solo career, Kevin has a keen interest in teaching and has hosted masterclasses at the Royal College of Music, RNCM, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Leeds College of Music. He joined the RNCM as a Tutor in Flute in 2017.

10 January 2018