Tim Gibbs

Tim first rose to prominence as the 1st prize winner of the 1997 International Society of Bassists U-18 competition in Houston, Texas, and following a critically acclaimed Wigmore Hall solo recital debut (July, 2000) was launched into global recognition as a bright talent for the future. Since then, he has gone on to forge a dynamic career by combining Principal and Guest Principal orchestral positions with a reputation as one of the leading chamber musicians on his instrument.

Recent chamber music festival appearances include performances at pianist Leif Ove Andsnes’ Rosendal chamber music festival (Norway) in 2018, and as featured artist at the Ruysdael quartet’s Zoom festival in the Netherlands in 2019. He has collaborated with the Dover, Doric, Ruysdael and Sacconi quartets, and in 2020 was invited by clarinettist Michael Collins and violinist Isabelle van Keulen to become a founder member of the “Wigmore Soloists” – a new chamber collective formed by some of Europe’s leading musicians.

As a teacher and educator, Tim has been a professor of Double bass at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London since 2013. He unique approach combines broad knowledge and experience of American and European playing styles and orchestral audition requirements. This has led to invitations to give masterclasses across the USA, Europe, Australia and Israel. More recently, he has delivered online digital seminars on his approach to orchestral and section bass playing to a variety of international audiences.

Tim was the first double bassist to be invited to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School in 1991 and thereafter continued his studies at the Royal College of Music in London.

He plays an instrument made by John Betts c.1805 and bows by Boris Fritsch. 

The Principal Double Bass Chair is endowed by Sir Sydney and Lady Lipworth in memory of Bertrand Lipworth.

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