On staff since 2010, Tim Brace brings his voice, skilled guitar work and directing talent to Trinity on Sunday mornings and special services throughout the year.

Born and raised in Houston, he entered Notre Dame in 1971, where he planned to major in engineering. The Spirit led elsewhere!

After two years, Tim dropped out, moved back to Houston, and started the rock band Circe. In 1973 he entered the University of St. Thomas, majoring in classical guitar performance while also studying composition and jazz and spending a semester at the International Music Center, Vienna, Austria.

Tim earned his BA from St. Thomas in music performance and a BS in philosophy in 1978, receiving the music department’s Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. He entered graduate school at Dominican College in San Rafael, California, majoring in classical guitar with a minor in composition and special studies in Early Music on the Baroque lute.

In 1985, he entered UT’s doctoral program in ethnomusicology, specializing in China and teaching the history of rock. In the late 80s, Tim visited China for his dissertation. His first publication appeared in the Summer 1991 Journal of Asian Music. He has taught courses in world and Chinese music at UT since receiving his PhD in 1992.

Tim primarily performs on a steel-string guitar Collings OM-2H. His classical guitar was made in 1973 by Robert Ruck. He has also written or arranged more than 50 works for classical guitar; arranged or composed more than 30 anthems or preludes for choir; and has written numerous descants and solos for church and secular performance.

Prior to taking on the role of music director at Trinity, Tim was the music director for Trinity’s predecessor church Hyde Park United Methodist.

To contact Tim, e-mail tim@trinitychurchofaustin.org.