David Cowdy enjoys a richly diverse career as a performer and teacher. After study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester he joined the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa in Lisbon as joint Principal Oboe, an orchestra which in addition to its concert work also accompanies the magnificent São Carlos Opera. When the time came to return to the UK he based himself back in Manchester and has been fortunate to perform with a great many other wonderful orchestras and musicians including the Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Opera North, Northern Ballet, Manchester Camerata, Northern Chamber Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte, the Bolshoi and Moscow City Ballet companies and numerous others. The genre hasn't been limited to classical music either as he has spent time with touring shows, the Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Joseph as well as an exciting and memorable tour with the Creative Jazz Orchestra. He has performed in most of the major concert halls and theatres in the UK and has been involved in numerous television and radio broadcasts and CD recordings both in the UK and abroad.
David returned to Portugal for a short period as guest Principal Oboe of the Orquestra Classica do Porto and following that he was delighted to accept a position with the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra in Muscat. During this fascinating tenure he performed several concertos with the orchestra, the hauntingly pastoral Vaughan Williams and Malcolm Arnold's sprightly and enigmatic Oboe Concerto. The latter included an incredible opportunity to play it complete and unaccompanied to the composer beforehand while he was visiting the country! David was a member of the quintet Gulf Winds and gave regular solo and chamber recitals. Coaching Omani wind players was also a fantastic experience and memories of that time are strong and treasured.
David now teaches at Junior Royal Northern College of Music and on the RNCM Young Oboes project with wonderfully talented and dedicated oboe students who frequently go on to study music at top universities and conservatoires. In addition to orchestral playing he continues to perform as a soloist and recitalist. Way back in 1989 he was a student helper at the International Double Reed Society convention in Manchester so, twenty years later he was particularly delighted to present a recital at IDRS 2009 in Birmingham where he gave the world premier of Darrol Barry’s Concertino for Oboe and Piano. Like most professional players, David has long been involved in making oboe reeds and he has given numerous classes on the craft and has presented workshops for the British Double Reed Society.
David returned to Portugal for a short period as guest Principal Oboe of the Orquestra Classica do Porto and following that he was delighted to accept a position with the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra in Muscat. During this fascinating tenure he performed several concertos with the orchestra, the hauntingly pastoral Vaughan Williams and Malcolm Arnold's sprightly and enigmatic Oboe Concerto. The latter included an incredible opportunity to play it complete and unaccompanied to the composer beforehand while he was visiting the country! David was a member of the quintet Gulf Winds and gave regular solo and chamber recitals. Coaching Omani wind players was also a fantastic experience and memories of that time are strong and treasured.
David now teaches at Junior Royal Northern College of Music and on the RNCM Young Oboes project with wonderfully talented and dedicated oboe students who frequently go on to study music at top universities and conservatoires. In addition to orchestral playing he continues to perform as a soloist and recitalist. Way back in 1989 he was a student helper at the International Double Reed Society convention in Manchester so, twenty years later he was particularly delighted to present a recital at IDRS 2009 in Birmingham where he gave the world premier of Darrol Barry’s Concertino for Oboe and Piano. Like most professional players, David has long been involved in making oboe reeds and he has given numerous classes on the craft and has presented workshops for the British Double Reed Society.