As Christ Cathedral Organist, David is the primary steward of a variety of instruments, principally the renowned Hazel Wright organ. Recently restored, Hazel is the world’s fifth largest organ, with more than 17,000 pipes, 300+ stops and nearly 300 ranks. As one facet of his role at Christ Cathedral, David serves as the Artistic Director for the Christ Cathedral concert series and the Hazel Wright Dedication Series; he has also recently performed on and released The Hazel Wright Organ: First Recordings from the Newly-Restored Hazel Wright Organ, an album that includes two new works by Daniel Ficarri, commissioned in celebration of Hazel’s return.

David’s musical contributions underpin the Cathedral's vast array of weekly services and events–following in the footsteps of Fred Swann, David plays, conducts the choirs, and supports the parish’s diverse congregation, all from Hazel’s 5-manual console. David oversees the ensembles of the Cathedral: the Diocesan Choir, Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Schola, Children’s Choir, and Cathedral Spanish Choir, which together total over 300. The program at Christ Cathedral is a model of multi-lingual and multi-cultural Catholic community and liturgy, with a repertoire that spans choral polyphony and English anthems, to traditional Mexican sacred hymnody. Additionally, David’s role involves training and mentorship of the next generation of sacred musicians and organists. His current and former students have gone on to hold prominent positions and have been accepted to prestigious programs and conservatories, including The Juilliard School, McGill, Rice, and Yale.

Commitment to mentoring young organists and choristers is a reflection of David’s own training. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to creating liturgical music of the highest caliber. From his earliest days as the organ scholar under Dr. John A. Romeri at the landmark St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, David played and accompanied the Cathedral Basilica’s choirs in performances across the country and in Rome, Italy. During his studies at Juilliard, he worked as the Assistant Director and Interim Director of Music at St. Malachy’s – The Actors’ Chapel in Times Square.

David is an active member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). David has additionally won AGO Competitions in Wichita, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis, and was the recipient of the rarely-conferred Outstanding Student Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the AGO. As part of a wide-ranging musical vision for 21st-century collaboration—a vision cultivated during his time at Juilliard—David is committed to making the “King of Instruments” play well with others. He has spearheaded a number of “David and Friends” chamber recitals, commissioned many new works, and co-founded the ensemble duo corgano, a horn and organ duet featuring fellow Juilliard alumnus Trevor Nuckols.

David completed both the Bachelor and Master of Music at The Juilliard School in New York City, studying under Mr. Paul Jacobs. While at Juilliard, his performance of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in a minor in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall was broadcast on American Public Media’s nationally-syndicated radio program Pipedreams, and his segment of the 2014 WQXR Bach Marathon was streamed on WQXR-FM, New York City’s classical radio station.

- Biography courtesy of Paula Harper.