Kevin Gowland

Kevin Gowland was an Exhibition Scholar at the Royal College of Music where he studied the flute with Susan Milan. During his time there he won all the major prizes for his instrument and in 1988 was awarded the RCM’s top prize, the prestigious President’s Rosebowl for outstanding achievement. In the same year and at the age of only 22, Kevin was appointed as Flute Section Leader with The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra by Sir Simon Rattle, a position he held for 17 years.

Kevin has appeared as a concerto soloist on many occasions, collaborating 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 appeared as Guest Principal Flute with the LSO, RPO, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Philharmonia, Halle, RLPO, RSNO, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and BBC NOW.

Kevin made his BBC Radio 3 recital debut in a live broadcast in 1992 and has since appeared as a recitalist at the Purcell Room; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; The Cheltenham Festival; The Warwick Arts Festival and gave the first solo recital in the inaugural week of events at The Howard Assembly Room, Leeds. From 2005-2018, he was Principal Flute with The Orchestra of Opera North.

Kevin joined the RNCM as a Flute Tutor in 2017 and in 2018 was appointed to his current position as Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion/Director of Woodwind.