RNCM appoints new Deputy Head of Composition

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) announces the appointment of composer-performer and College alumna Laura Bowler as its new Deputy Head of Composition.

RNCM Deputy Head of Composition, Laura Bowler photographed by Ricordi Harald Hoffmann

Laura will work alongside Head of Composition Dr Larry Goves, who has led the School since May 2023. She joined the RNCM in 2015 and has most recently held the post of PRiSM Artist in Residence.

A composer, vocalist, and artistic director described as ‘a triple threat provocatrice’ by The Arts Desk, Laura specialises in multidisciplinary works and music theatre. She has been commissioned by leading ensembles, orchestras, and festivals across the globe – including the London Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Basel Sinfonietta, Royal Ballet and Opera, Manchester Camerata, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Phace (Austria), Lovemusic (France), Ensemble Offspring (Australia), Donaueschinger Musiktage, MaerzMusik, and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Speaking about her appointment, Laura said: ‘I will always be incredibly grateful for my time at the RNCM as an undergraduate composer, as without the dedicated faculty and the rich opportunities I was given I would not have built the career I have today.

‘Taking on this new role will enable me, alongside the rest of the Composition faculty, to continue to challenge and support student composers to take creative risks, to build collaborative partnerships, and to always joyfully question what it means to be a composer today.’

Laura’s works include: The Blue Woman, a chamber opera commissioned by the Royal Ballet and Opera for its Engender Festival at the Linbury Theatre, directed by Katie Mitchell; Wicked Problems, a chamber work for voice and bass flute and recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Chamber-Scale Composition, created in collaboration with flautist Ruth Morley; and ADVERT, a music-theatre piece commissioned by Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, New Music Dublin, Musica Estranha, Ultima, Time in Music, Music on Main, and November Music.

3 December 2025