Caz Besterman is a musician, teacher and composer based in Somerset. She has a wide range of experience in different genres, and can provide original and emotive music for any instrumentation or purpose.
Click on the videos on this page to view some extracts of her music:
Her orchestral suite Pictures of Bristol was premiered in 2015 by the Brunel Sinfonia and a previous work for orchestra, Mirror Romance, was performed in Clifton Cathedral. Her choral settings of World War One poetry including ‘In Flanders Fields‘ were showcased in the commemorative concert ‘Pity of War’ in 2018, featuring top composer Bob Chilcott.
Caz has also composed music for film and for theatre, including student productions of Antigone and Journey’s End. Forthcoming compositions include contemporary songs, piano solos for young players, a work for unaccompanied SATB, and further Christmas repertoire for upper voices.
Aside from composing, Caz works as an examiner and presenter for the ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). She is a consultant for Indonesia and makes regular visits to the region, including networking and seminars for teachers.
She is a Trustee of The Finzi Trust, and musical director of Taunton's first Dovetail Orchestra. She helps on a number of community music initiatives including Taunton Children's Orchestra, and is Project Manager of the Together in Tone music and well-being initiative. She is passionate about ensuring access to music and instrumental opportunities for all.
Caz has taught in senior schools for over twenty years, both in the UK and in Indonesia, and has mentored young people in composition. She sings and plays viola in a number of Somerset music groups, as well as No Strings Attached, a string quartet formed while at Cambridge University, and the Corba Ensemble.
Qualifications
ABRSM Diploma - Viola
ABRSM Grade VIII Piano - Distinction
PGCE Music, University of Bristol
BA and MA (Hons), University of Cambridge