Colin Cowles entered Trinity College of Music as a full time student in 1958 having been a Junior Exhibitioner for four years. He was awarded The Maude Seaton Prize in 1961 and then went on to complete the Music Teacher’s Certificate at London University. He taught until 1980 when he became a freelance composer and performer, specialising in bassoon, saxophone and piano. He has coached and conducted many County Youth Bands, Symphony Orchestras and Jazz Orchestras, and has adjudicated at music festivals. Colin has lectured on many aspects of the music world and has acted as composer in residence at a number of courses.

His writing (having always been inspired by the English countryside) has now resulted in excess of 400 compositions, the most important being the Ballet Symphony: an evocation of village life. Colin plays a wide variety of instruments and has a wonderful sense of humour, which comes through in his writing for young people. As a direct result of his vast teaching experience he has a thorough understanding of young people’s needs in music education. His music has been broadcast on TV and Radio and played by many eminent musicians. He travels world-wide as an examiner for Trinity College London.