ANU guitarist named on Queen's Honour list

Associate Professor Timothy Kain.

ANU School of Music teacher Timothy Kain is modest.

“Someone once said, there’s no such thing as good teachers, only good students.”

Associate Professor Kain has just been named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

For more than thirty years Associate Professor Kain had been dedicated to raising the profile of classical guitar in Australia and nurturing the next generation of musicians.

He said it was nice to receive personal recognition but even better to watch appreciation for the traditionally overlooked classical guitar grow.

“It’s wonderful for the instrument to receive this boost,” he said.

“It really paves the way for future musicians and gives them the confidence that there is recognition out there.”

Growing up in Canberra during the early days of rock-and-roll and pop music, Associate Professor Kane was inspired to take up guitar.

After studying at the original Canberra School of Music, he moved to Spain and then on to England, building an International reputation as a soloist and chamber musician.

Since returning to the country he has been committed to supporting the Australian classical music industry, commissioning over forty original pieces, releasing four CDs with his guitar family quartet, “Guitar Trek”, and launching the careers of hundreds of young musicians.

His reputation has drawn students from all over Australia who have gone on to win prizes in Vienna, Tokyo, Italy, Spain and the US. He is proud of the heights his students have achieved.

“One of the best things about teaching at ANU is the sense of support and collegiality among the students.”

And while he is approaching an age when many people start thinking about retirement, Associate Professor Kain can’t imagine a life without music.

“There’s no gold watch in this profession,” he said.

“As the saying goes, ‘old musicians don’t die, they fade out’.”