Laura Bowler, described as “a triple threat composer-performer-provocatrice” (The Arts Desk) is a composer, vocalist and Artistic Director specialising in theatre, multi-disciplinary work and opera. She has been commissioned across the globe by ensembles and orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, ROH2, Opera Holland Park, The Opera Group, Manchester Camerata, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Quatuor Bozzini (Canada), Ensemble Phace (Austria), Ensemble Linea (France) and Omega Ensemble (Australia). In 2022 she was announced as a recipient of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Artists. 

New Music Dublin Concert Recorded in Glasgow Follow the link to watch.

Coming up…

Wicked Problems at Wigmore Hall, London 17th June 2023, 11am

This concert is part of RNCM at 50 celebrations.

• Laura Bowler vocalist

• Ruth Morley bass flute

• Yuliya Trishkeu soprano

• Musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) celebrates its 50th birthday in 2023, as well as celebrating its 15th year of bringing the music of today’s finest living composers to Wigmore Hall. Since 2009, RNCM students have visited the Hall each year to perform music by leading composers such as James MacMillan, Errollyn Wallen, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Judith Weir, George Benjamin, Tansy Davies, Harrison Birtwistle and Mark-Anthony Turnage.

New music has been at the heart of Manchester’s music-making since before the inception of the RNCM. The New Music Manchester group of the 1950s including Harrison Birtwistle, Peter Maxwell Davies and Alexander Goehr were one such influential group.

Today, the RNCM is a thriving centre for new music of all kinds, with the breadth of sounds ever-broadening amidst technological innovations and new ideas. This Made in Manchester focus explores this diverse range of styles, demonstrated through music by staff composers at the RNCM.

• Laura Bowler

  • Wicked Problems for voice, bass flute and fixed tape

• Steven Daverson (b.1985)

  • Exotic vapour for solo piano

    • (London première)

• Andy Scott (b.1966)

  • Westland for solo tenor saxophone

• Adam Gorb (b.1958)

  • Beggars Belief for soprano and piano

    • (London première)

• Paul Patterson (b.1947)

  • Luslawice Variations for solo violin Op. 50
    

Previous events:

Gaia at RNCM, Manchester, 3rd May 2023, 9pm

Made in Manchester is a three-day festival celebrating the amazing breadth of new music created at the RNCM by our staff and students, past and present.   

Laura Bowler has been described as ‘a triple threat composer-performer-provocatrice’ by the Arts Desk. Always looking to disrupt the status quo, Laura is deeply passionate about the themes she tackles in her music and this event sees her team up with flautist Ruth Morley to explore notions of climate change in music.

Titled ‘Gaia’, meaning the Greek Mother Earth goddess, Laura and Ruth use amplified voice and flute in this striking programme that includes Laura’s award-winning Wicked Problems and More by former student Carmel Smickersgill. 

Programme to include:
Laura Bowler Wicked Problems
Carmel Smickersgill More
Deidre McKay Postcards from a Fragile Planet
Pablo Sonnaillon The Pines of La Costa Brava
Ruth Morley Neon Flicker

Laura Bowler composer/soprano
Ruth Morley flutes 

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Gaia at Glasgow University. 9th February 2023.

GAIA

Music in the University
Date: Thursday 09 February 2023
Time: 13:10 - 14:00
Venue: University Concert Hall

The programme includes:

Laura Bowler: wicked problems

Carmel Smickersgill: More

Deirdre McKay: Postcards from a fragile planet

About the programme

Wicked Problems sets text from Timothy Morton’s Dark Ecology. The flute and voice find themselves entangled in loops, gasping for air and incessantly thrown forward into the uncertainly interminable. Many thanks to Timothy Morton for his permission to set this extract of text. 

Carmel Smickersgill's More explores the relationship between a dependent and the person or thing on which they depend. 

A devastating human and economic cost. In the words of the United Nations’ Environment chief, Inger Andersen, 'Nature is sending us a message’. Deirdre McKay's Postcards from a fragile planet responds to the current climate emergency. 

Co-commissioned by sound, New Music Dublin, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Northern College of Music and Kings Place. Supported by PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders. University of Glasgow thanks the artists, and Fiona Robertson, Director of sound for their generosity and partnership in bringing this tour to us today

Aldeburgh Festival 2022

Laura’a award winning Wicked Problems, alongside her amazing piece Houses Slide:

Music that moves, that rages, and ultimately that unites us: the London Sinfonietta revisits Laura Bowler’s ground-breaking commission which addresses the most serious issue of our generation. Houses Slide for soprano and ensemble describes one woman's intimate psychological journey to figure out her response to the climate crisis, from an initial depressing realisation of the gravity of the issue, through to her refusal to be overwhelmed and decision to take positive action. 

The ground-breaking bicycle-powered concert presentation is conceived and directed by acclaimed theatre director Katie Mitchell.

Laura Bowler  Wicked Problems
Laura Bowler  Houses Slide

Jessica Aszodi  soprano
Laura Bowler  voice
Ruth Morley  bass flute
Sian Edwards  conductor
Katie Mitchell  director
London Sinfonietta

At the heart of solving the problems that surround climate change is creativity.Laura Bowler

...a triple threat composer-performer-provocatriceThe Arts Desk

BBC Radio 3 New Music Show COP26 special, live from Glasgow.

First broadcast 6th November 2021, then on iplayer.