Tim Cais

A graduate of the Reid School of Music (University of Edinburgh), Tim leads a busy musical life. He began playing the cello aged four, and started singing and playing the piano soon after. He attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Department where he continued to study cello with Betsy Taylor (RSNO). In 2013 Tim graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BMus (Hons), specialising in performance, orchestration and stylistic composition. Alongside his academic studies, he continued to study cello with Betsy Taylor and Donald Gillan (SCO). In 2010 Tim was awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham Scholarship for achievement in performance. Tim played with, and was principal cellist of, the University’s String, Symphony, and Chamber orchestras. He played continuo for Edinburgh Studio Opera’s productions of Handel’s Semele and Purcell’s King Arthur, and was principal cellist for Edinburgh University Footlights’ production of Bernstein’s West Side Story. He sang with the University Singers and was a member of Edinburgh Studio Opera. Since university Tim has played with many ensembles, including the Rose Street Ensemble, Magnetic Opera, Sospiro Baroque, Amicus, the Edinburgh Incidental Orchestra, the Edinburgh Charity Orchestra, and Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble. He is one of the founder members of both the Fyrish String Quartet and the Pentland String Quartet. He was bass choral scholar at Old Saint Paul's Church for two years. Tim regularly sings with choirs in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including Octavoce, the Glasgow Chamber Choir and the Robin Chapel Choir. He has been involved in recent recordings with the Glasgow Chamber Choir and Octavoce, as well as singing live on the BBC with Glasgow Chamber Choir. As a cello soloist Tim gave his debut recital in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012, and has since given successful recitals in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In June 2013 he was the soloist with the Edinburgh University String Orchestra in their performances of Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile for Cello and Strings. Working with pianist and accompanist, Chris Harding, Tim gave successful recitals showcasing sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, and JS Bach. Tim has appeared as the cello soloist for performances of Rutter’s and Duruflé’s Requiems, and Bob Chilcott's St. John Passion, with choirs including the Glasgow Chamber Choir, the Scottish Chamber Choir and the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union. Tim plays a cello by Noel Sweetman (2000).