Owen Gunnell

BMus(Hons)

Percussion professor

Owen graduated from the RCM in 2003 with first class honours, where he also completed a junior fellowship with his duo O Duo in 2006. Since then he has had a busy and varied career. He has made solo appearances with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, the Philharmonia, the Macedonian Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Sinfonia Viva, Orchestre de Picardie (France) and De Doelen Ensemble (Holland). He has performed and been broadcast on TV and radio across Europe, the USA, Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan, Russia, Australia and the UK. Owen has worked closely with many composers playing and recording new commissions, including Steve Reich, George Benjamin, Brett Dean, Thomas Ades, Unsuk Chin, Aphex Twin, David Lang, Nico Muhly, Michael Nyman, Oliver Knussen, Donnacha Dennehey, Benjamin Wallfisch and Alexandre Desplat. He has also been involved in numerous studio recordings in London, New York and Dublin.

Owen’s Percussion Duo, O Duo, have released 2 albums and performed worldwide to critical acclaim. They are past prize-winners of YCAT, Tunnel Trust, Making Music, ROSL and Edinburgh Fringe Best Music Act.

As a chamber and orchestral musician Owen is a member of the Colin Currie Quartet, the Colin Currie Group and The Crash Ensemble (Dublin). He also works with the London Sinfonietta, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, John Wilson Orchestra and several other orchestras.

Owen has given masterclasses at the RCM, the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Morelia University (Mexico), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Finnish Opera. He is Artistic Director for Children’s Classic Concerts (Scotland) and Children’s Musical Adventures (Wales). He has worked on many educational projects with numerous organisations, including the BBC, the London Sinfonietta, the Proms, Britten Sinfonia, The Roundhouse, Cheltenham Festival and St. Magnus Festival.

Photo courtesy of Intermusica artists

Faculties / departments: Percussion