David Dubery was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1948, and studied piano from the age of five. The rugged sea and landscapes there instilled in him a love of nature. To further his musical and artistic skills the family emigrated to his mother's home town of Manchester, England in 1961, before South Africa became a Republic. He started composing in 1962, continued with piano lessons developing his skills in sight reading and improvisation and had many opportunities during his teens to perform his own piano compositions at school speech days and concerts, and as a junior student at the Northern School of Music (NSM) [1964-67]. After winning the 1965 Composition Prize he was awarded a course of composition lessons with Dorothy Pilling, best known for Harmonization of Melodies at the Keyboard, as well as delightful Vignettes for piano solo and a number of attractive songs. His insatiable thirst to discover music was so strong he accepted the offer of a three year degree course at the NSM. His piano tutors were Eileen Chadwick and the distinguished concert pianist Kendall Taylor CBE. The principal, Ida Carroll kept him busy with many recitals in College, Music Clubs and Societies. Studying with Albert Haskayne he developed a useable baritone voice and sang in Choral Works and Operas with the Hallé and NSM Orchestras under the direction of Sir Charles Groves, James Robertson, and Maurice Handford. Most memorable were Sir John Barbirolli's glorious farewell performances of Verdi's Otello.
In 1969 he was awarded a Hesse Scholarship to Aldeburgh where he came under the influences of Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Imogen Holst and where he formed friendships with Peter Holman and David Matthews. Time spent with them resulted in a collaborative private recording for Imogen of her father's opera Sita [1970].
His first BBC broadcast was Castles in the Air in 1971 following a successful performance at NSM sung by Diane Marshall. Other broadcasts followed; a recital with violinist Philip Sutton [BBC Northern S.O.], Rhymes for Children [1973] and Two Canticles for voice & piano I am my own and not my own: Christ on the Cross [1980].
Since 1972 he has enjoyed a multi-faceted music career as solo pianist, accompanist, composer, vocal coach, musical director and teacher of piano and voice. During the 1970's he wrote several musicals that received a number of highly praised staged performances and during these years he partnered in concert some outstanding singers at the start of their professional careers including Jane Eaglen, Barry Banks, Joan Rogers, and Claire Moore and Jeffrey Lawton. Throughout the 1980's he toured as part of the Verlaine Duo with oboist Jonathan Tobutt which gave him the chance to write a Sonata Since dawn is breaking [1981], Sonatina [1986] and solo Elegy for E.S. [1983]. The duo made its BBC broadcast debut for the Manchester Midday Concerts Society in 1982 and London debut at St Martin in the Fields in 1986.
He coached actors from musical theatre, TV, stage and film, taught cast members from over 25 West-End and national-tour productions, and worked in the departments of Dance, Drama and Music in Colleges of Further Education, The Manchester School of Music and The Actors Centre. From 1985-2003 at the Northern Ballet School he was staff pianist, vocal tutor, and Musical Director for their Showcase Productions at the Dance House Theatre.
Being largely self-taught he works in a traditional language preferring miniature to medium sized projects. His music is tonal, rooted in past traditions, and working with dancers and actors has ensured rhythm and movement play an integral part in its composition. European travel, visiting Italian cities, coasts and islands, and in particular Lake Como, has allowed him to indulge his passion for photography, capturing images he often uses as a resource and inspiration for his music creation. He enjoys writing for specific performers including Craig Ogden; guitar, James Bowman: counter-tenor, John Turner; recorders, Bernadette Greevy, Adrienne Murray: mezzo-sopranos, Graham Salvage:bassoon, Richard Simpson::Oboe.
His music is published by Roberton/Goodmusic, Forsyth, Peacock Press, Sunshine Music/Spartan Press and Emerson. Recordings include --
British Recorder Concertos Dutton CDLX 7154
http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7154 Songs & Chamber Music Metier MSV 28523
http://www.divineartrecords.com/CD/28523info.htm Observations. Seventeen Songs and a String Quartet. Metier msv 28548
http://www.divineartrecords.com/CD/28548info.htm Antony Hopkins A Portrait Divine art dda21217
http://www.divine-art.co.uk/CD/21217info.htm Anthony Burgess - The man and his music. Metier msv 77202
http://www.divine-art.co.uk/CD/77202info.htm
