Instruments: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute

David started playing the clarinet in 4th grade. He participated in solo contests, district and all-star bands, and was selected in all-state band his final two high school years. His greatest musical challenge was overcoming a bicycle accident in high school that resulted in severe mouth damage including the loss of his top front teeth. He was told he would never play clarinet again, but 46 years later, he is still doing it.

Although David was selected to play in a concert band with students from across the country performing in ten countries in Europe, he served as a musician for the US Army instead. He was a member of active-duty bands in Virginia and Missouri for three years, then switched to the Illinois Army National Guard band for another three years. One of the flute players in his band died in a tragic car accident, and when the player’s family gifted David her flute, he learned to play it.

David played in community bands and taught private lessons. He and his wife, Luan, taught at a Christian school where they created the school’s first marching band which won several parade awards. He learned the trade of repairing band instruments and continues to do so part-time. He was in the US Army and Army National Guard for 13 years and has been a career and volunteer firefighter for 27 years.

Three years ago, David began playing Clarinet and Bass Clarinet with the Hurricane Valley Symphony. It had been 25 years since he performed in a group like the Hurricane Valley Symphony. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri (the home of Mark Twain), grew up in a small town in Illinois, and currently lives in Toquerville, Utah.

David’s oldest son Zachariah plays percussion and has been with the Symphony for two seasons. His son Isiah plays trombone. His wife Luan used to play clarinet but still sings and plays guitar. They have dogs who do not play instruments but do sing at times.