Kevin Rundell

Kevin Rundell began his studies with his grandfather, Jack Silvester, and continued with Adrian Beers at the Royal College of Music where he won all the prizes for the double bass. After a year touring with the Scottish Baroque Ensemble he joined the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House at the age of 19 and studied with the famous virtuoso Thomas Martin.

Kevin was appointed Professor at the Guildhall School in 1975 at the age of 22, a position he still holds. Between 1975 and 1990 he was also a Professor of Double Bass at Trinity College of Music, London. As a teacher he has been spectacularly successful and has had pupils in all the orchestras in the UK and many overseas ensembles.

Kevin’s first Principal position was with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Paavo Berglund in 1976. In 1978 he gained the title of ‘Outstanding British Bassist’ in the first international Isle of Man double bass competition.

In 1980 he joined English National Opera as Principal, where he remained for ten years. He was also a leading performer of contemporary music, playing with the chamber group Lontano. Kevin joined the London Symphony Orchestra as Principal Double Bass in 1990 and the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1991.