Kevin Gowland
Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion, Director of Woodwind and Professor of Flute
Kevin Gowland is Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion-Director of Woodwind and Senior Flute Tutor at the RNCM.
His career started at the age of 22 when he was appointed as Flute Section Leader with The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra by Sir Simon Rattle, a position he held for 17 years. From 2005 he was Principal Flute with The Orchestra of Opera North leaving in 2018 to take up the role of Deputy Head of SWBP, Director of Woodwind at the RNCM.
He has appeared as Guest Principal Flute with the LSO, RPO, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Philharmonia, Halle, RLPO, RSNO, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and BBC National Orchestra of Wales aswell as many session orchestras and appeared on screen in the first Downton Abbey film.
As a concerto soloist Kevin has collaborated with Sir Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo, Valery Gergiev, Paavo Jarvi, Sir Mark Elder, Christian Gansch, Nicholas McGegan, Nicholas Kraemer and Richard Farnes, covering a wide spectrum of the flute concerto repertoire.
Kevin made his BBC Radio 3 recital debut in a live broadcast and has since appeared as a recitalist at the Purcell Room; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; The Cheltenham Festival; gave three recitals at National Flute Association (NFA) 2019 in Salt Lake City, and gave the first solo recital in the inaugural week of events at The Howard Assembly Room, Leeds.
Kevin has given Masterclasses at RCM, RBC, LCoM, RWCMD and has been a panel member for many competiotions including the NFA 2020 High School Soloist competition and televised Woodwind final BBC Young Musician of the Year.
Kevin joined the RNCM as a Flute Tutor in 2017, was appointed to the position of Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion- Director of Woodwind in 2018 and started officially as Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion-Director of Woodwind in September 2022 having covered the role for six months.
