David studied at Trinity College of Music, London and then at Middlesex Polytechnic to gain his PGCE.
He began teaching music in Harrow schools in 1977 and in 1985 in the London Borough of Ealing at Acton High School, a new school that was an amalgamation of three failing schools. This was a major challenge as two of the prior schools had no music education for several years. During the next twenty- five years he built a music department from scratch, to a highly successful Arts Faculty with six full-time staff and seventeen part-time. The school grew from 450 pupils to 1500.
At Mountview High School in Harrow he was generously handed the responsibility to musically direct a newly-formed school steel band. This activity presented enormous opportunity to develop my arranging skills. When Mountview was closed by the local authority he formed a new borough steel orchestra, called ‘Panash.’ This orchestra comprised many of the original Mountview members, but also expanded its intake borough-wide. These bands proved very successful and in great demand locally and nationally.
Other interests include his involvement and later M.D of a South-Coast based 10-piece Dance Band comprising professional musicians, occasional pianist in the Purbeck Big Band based in Bournemouth, and over a ten-year period, playing the piano in many South Coast hotels and other venues. Additionally, he played in trios, quartets and other small ensembles.
David has arranged music for many schools, bands, orchestras and choirs and offers a bespoke arranging service.
His involvement as a trustee with PRSSV has included working with Dr. Jill Scarfe upon the development of graded steel pan examinations, associated teacher training, and production of relevant materials. He is passionate about equality and recognition of oral-tradition musics and their rightful place within the wider music platform.