CALVIN
BOWMAN
composer in residence
& piano
“…an absolute gem of twenty-first century imagination.”
Sir Neville Marriner
English Violinist and Conductor
Dr Calvin Bowman studied organ with John O'Donnell and piano with Donald Thornton at the University of Melbourne. He undertook further studies at Yale University with a Fulbright scholarship, earning his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2005.
He has presented three complete cycles of Bach's organ works: in 1995, for the 2009 Melbourne International Festival, and at MONA FOMA in 2022. In 2001, he re-opened the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ with the world premiere of Philip Glass's Voices in the composer's presence.
Dr Bowman's most popular song, Now Touch the Air Softly, was recorded by Emma Matthews with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon/ABC Classics. Recent performances of his songs have taken place at prestigious venues including the Musikverein and the Elbphilharmonie.
An exclusive Decca/UMA artist, Dr Bowman released his debut art song discs Real and Right and True in 2018. He currently serves as Director of Music at St Andrew's, Brighton.