Tim is in two bands. Mukhlisa is a World band built around his Middle Eastern percussion instruments. They released their debut album The Puzzle in 2017 at the Christchurch Jazz and Blues Festival. The Goldonies is a rock ’n’ roll group which was originally formed for the play One Man, Two Guvnors at the Court Theatre. Tim plays drums, the washboard, and sings backing vocals in The Goldonies. As a freelance musician, Tim plays a variety of styles, including jazz, theatre, pop and World percussion. He has played in many musicals for the Court Theatre, NASDA, Showbiz Christchurch and can be heard on a diverse selection of albums. Right now Tim is playing at least 12 percussion instruments as well as the drum kit. He plays instruments as varied as the North Indian tabla to the Riq (Middle East tambourine). “All of these instruments have their own techniques and traditional rhythms which are fascinating to explore.” “It’s a lot of hard work. I never would have thought I’d be playing this many instruments from around the world, nor that I’d be in so many
shows and have been so versatile. Being versatile with the styles you play makes a huge difference to the work you are offered.” One of his biggest dreams is playing for Cirque de Soleil – “that’s a long term ambition; I would love to do that.” College students with a love for music and a desire to make it their career shouldn’t be put off by anyone, he says. “There are plenty of opportunities out there. But it also takes a lot of hard work, passion and commitment to make it happen. Hours and hours of practice, sacrificing of social events, and focus can help a dream become a reality. A music degree is not so much the piece of paper, but more about the time to hone your craft, the contacts you make along the way, and the skills you gather to use in a professional setting.” Boys shouldn’t be too concerned if they don’t know their pathway when they leave the gates of Christ’s College.
“There are plenty of opportunities out there.But it also takes a lot
of hardwork, passion and
commitment to make it happen.” TimSellars
Tim was able to keep his name popping up on the local scene, so when he returned more permanently in late 2014 his talents were already well known. He completed a Teaching Diploma at the University of Canterbury in 2015 and, since then has been part of Hagley College's “Forte” Itinerant Music Teachers, which sees him travelling up to two or three secondary schools a day to teach a wide range of music to a wide range of students.
“It takes time to find your mould!”
College Issue 35 2018
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