Biography

Kirsty Howe, born and raised in Fife, Scotland, began learning the horn at the age of ten through her local music service after previously learning the piano and the cello. After performing with local and national youth orchestras, she went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester under the tutelage of Lindsey Stoker. During her time there Kirsty performed as principal horn in many of the college’s orchestras and ensembles, including the symphony, chamber and concert orchestras. After graduating, Kirsty was then granted a scholarship to study for a master’s degree in orchestral performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studied with Jeff Bryant, Hugh Seenan, Jonathan Lipton and Richard Bissell. Whilst studying at the Guildhall School, Kirsty was selected to take part in the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra Wind Academy.

Kirsty is a keen chamber musician and was a member of a prize-winning wind quintet whilst at the RNCM. She has worked with many chamber ensembles including a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe with her trio of oboe, horn and piano.

Kirsty has worked with orchestras including Manchester Camerata, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Concert Orchestra and Sinfonia Cymru and has recorded for BBC Children in Need and Radio 4.

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

What’s on your playlist right now?
Simon Rattle/CBSO Sibelius symphonies, the Avenue Q soundtrack, The Mouse Outfit and Mahler Symphony No.2.

If you could play another instrument, what would it be and why?
The oboe – it gets great melodies in the orchestra.