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BMus, MMus, PhD, PGCE, FHEA

A composer of chamber, orchestral, and vocal music, Mark Bowden’s work has been described as ‘an exceptional and absorbing pleasure’ (The Guardian), ‘invigorating’ (The Times) and ‘powerfully dramatic’ (BBC Radio 3).

Mark received the Royal Philharmonic Society Prize in 2006 for (BBC Symphony Orchestra). Further orchestral commissions followed (, ) before BBC National Orchestra of Wales appointed him Resident Composer between 2011 and 2016 resulting in a series of orchestral works (, , ). Recent orchestral works include (Welsh National Opera), (London Sinfonietta), and (BBC National Orchestra of Wales).

Mark’s chamber and vocal music includes (Mark Simpson and Richard Uttley), (Hyeyoon Park and Huw Watkins), (London Sinfonietta), (BBC National Chorus of Wales) and for baritone and piano. Mark has created vocal works for the stage (, ) and his abiding interest in dance has resulted in much collaboration with choreographers.

Mark has enjoyed associations with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Rambert Dance Company, Britten Pears Arts, Handel House Museum, Kettle's Yard, University of Cambridge, Visby International Centre for Composers, and the MacDowell Colony. He was chair of the British Section of the International Society for Contemporary Music between 2014 and 2018 and Director of Composition at Royal Holloway between 2007 and 2022. The University of London awarded Mark the title of Professor of Composition in 2017 and in 2022 he was appointed Professor of Music at the É«¶à¶àÊÓƵ in London. Mark won a British Composer Award for in 2016 and in 2019 his work was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award.

Mark is currently writing his first full-length opera for Welsh National Opera.

Selected Compositions

(2021) for chamber ensemble

(2019) for solo saxophone & ensemble

(2018) for orchestra 

(2015) for violin & piano

(2015) for piano trio

(2014) for soprano, baritone, chorus & orchestra 

(2012) for solo percussion & orchestra 

(2011) for solo cello & orchestra

Find out more about Mark’s music.

View Mark’s profile on the Composers Edition website.

Listen to . 

Photo: ©

Faculties / departments: Research

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