Oscar Bowen-Hill (Temple 19): Classical Tenor

9 July 2025

Photo caption: Oscar Performing in Dangerous Matters at RNCM, ©Robin Clewley

Former Head Boy, Oscar Bowen-Hill (Temple19) is about the enter the final year of his professional training as a classical tenor at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Oscar’s love for singing began at the age of eight and blossomed throughout his time at Stowe. Many Old Stoics will remember his moving duet of Time to Say Goodbye with Helena Vince (Queen's 19) at their final Speech Day—a moment that hinted at the musical path ahead of him.

After earning a first-class degree in Psychology with Cognitive Science and contributing to two published papers, Oscar took a leap of faith and applied to the prestigious Glyndebourne Academy. His acceptance—and the BBC Music Magazine’s praise of his “bright and beautiful tenor voice”—marked a turning point. With the encouragement of Glyndebourne’s Mary King, Oscar committed to a professional singing career.

Despite entering RNCM without a formal music degree, Oscar has made extraordinary progress. His operatic debut as Sir Philip Wingrave in Britten’s Owen Wingrave and his performance of Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings alongside Alec Frank-Gemmill are just two highlights of a transformative year.

He’s now preparing for international Young Artist Programmes and festival choruses, with upcoming performances in Siena, Liverpool, and Bergen. His voice is maturing, his technique is flourishing, and his ambition is growing.

“Music is the greatest thing in my life, and people enjoy my singing. Why would I do anything else?”

How You Can Help

Oscar has self-funded his musical training since the age of sixteen and is now looking to raise funds to complete his final year at RNCM, to cover the cost of tuition, accommodation and expenses. He is proud to have secured a bursary from RNCM and is also looking for support from other individuals and organisations.  If you can help, please contact the OS Office by emailing oldstoic@stowe.co.uk to be put in touch with Oscar.

If you can provide any performance opportunities or would like to attend one of Oscar’s future concerts, please do get in touch. You can follow his progress via his social media pages: https://www.instagram.com/oscar_bowenhill/ 

Let’s help Oscar turn his potential into a lifelong career—and ensure that his final year at RNCM is just the beginning of something extraordinary. We are excited to watch his professional singing career flourish.