RPO Player Joe Cowie holding his double bass and smiling at the camera
© Richard Ion

Double Bass

Originally from Colchester, Joe started learning the double bass at age 12, progressing through the Essex County ensembles and the National Youth Orchestra. He went on to study Music at Clare College, Cambridge, before pursuing a postgraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music.

Prior to joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2024, Joe was No.3 Double Bass with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He has been invited as Guest Principal with the BBC Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, Britten Sinfonia, and Ulster Orchestra. Additionally, he serves as Sub-Principal Bass with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia.

Joe has an ever-growing collection of increasingly complicated board games, which he enjoys playing in his spare time.


This Chair is currently available for support. Becoming an RPO Chair Patron allows supporters to build a closer relationship with our players and offers unique insights into our broader programme of activity. Find out more here.

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