Timothy Munro

Biography

“captivating,” “brilliant”
The New York Times

Tim Munro is a Brisbane-based, triple-Grammy-winning musician. As a flautist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher, he treats audiences as equals, welcoming them into musical worlds with passion, intelligence and humour. He is an Associate Professor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, in Brisbane, Australia.

In 2025, Tim begins a role with Southern Cross Soloists, which includes curating the ensemble’s new Mt Tamborine festival, 22-24 August. As a flautist, he returns to the Stradbroke Chamber Music Festival in July; performs a program with Stephen Emmerson at the 4MBS Festival in June; presents three concerts with his trio, Ways by Ways (with percussionist Rebecca Lloyd Jones and pianist Alex Raineri); and joins Ensemble Sooon for a program in November.

Tim was the flautist and co-Artistic Director of Eighth Blackbird from 2006-2015. He toured the US and internationally, premiering more than 100 works, co-curating festivals, playing as a concerto soloist, collaborating with artists that ran the gamut and winning three Grammy Awards. Eighth Blackbird sought engaging, stimulating musical experiences that drew audiences close.

He was the St Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Creative Partner, working as curator, broadcaster, writer and artistic consultant. With the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he appeared as flautist, speaker and teacher. He was the flautist with the University of Chicago’s Grossman Ensemble and the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and performed with Ensemble Signal, Imani Winds, Wu Man, Newspeak, and Third Coast Percussion.

As a teacher, Tim brings students into collaborative environments, giving them agency. He has worked at music schools in more than forty American states, including the Curtis Institute, the University of Michigan, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California and Oberlin College. In Australia, he was the inaugural Kinnane Musician in Residence at the University of Queensland and led a two-week residency at the Australian National Academy of Music.

Tim is committed to large-scale, immersive projects that put listeners at the centre of the musical experience. He co-directed Crowd Out Chicago, which drew a choir of 1000 untrained singers from 43 of Chicago’s 50 wards. He has directed several of John Luther Adams’ immersive works, and premiered two large-scale, co-composed works at the BLEACH Festival.

Tim’s playing has been called “captivating,” “bravura” and “charismatic” (The New York Times). His recent album, Liminal Highway, with music by Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Cerrone, exploited Tim’s “expansive artistry” (The Wire). Upcoming releases include music for singing flautist by post-punk musician David Reminick and multi-flute works by Anna Clyne and Annika Socolofsky.

He owes much to his teachers. Debbie Ellison held exacting standards, Gerhard Mallon sought focus in his sound. Jeannette Manricks built a solid foundation, Patrick Nolan challenged his musical perception. Michel Debost filled a flexible musical line with air. And at a key moment, Margaret Crawford convinced him that a flute player could be a full, curious artist.

Tim lives in Brisbane with his wife Julie, an innovative theatre artist, and their son Ellis.