David Drury

David Drury was born in NSW in 1961 and was educated at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney. In 1984 he graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a B.Mus in organ performance and he was also the recipient of the “Vasanta” scholarship for overseas study.

During his three years in England, he studied with the Professor of organ of the Royal Academy of Music, David Sanger, and gained the Associate Diploma in organ, and the Choir-Master Diploma from the Royal College of Organists. In 1987, David became the first and only Australian to win the ‘Tournemire prize’ for improvisation at the St Alban’s International Organ Competition. He has given recitals in Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals in London and King’s College Cambridge. In Paris, he has given numerous recitals at Notre Dame and La Madeleine and appeared at the Toulon Festival.

David has toured Canada and many times to the USA as a recitalist, tutor, accompanist and choral director and has given masterclasses and performed on U.S. radio and television. During 1996 he gave a recital for the Organ Historical Society’s National convention in Philadelphia.

David has appeared at the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart Town Halls. He has performed at the Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord, the Newcastle Festival, the Barossa Festival and the Festival of Sydney. He broadcasts regularly for the A.B.C. and other radio stations.

David has performed concertos with the Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, the Sydney Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He also plays with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra when organ is required and has given a number of solo recitals in their ‘Tea and Symphony’ series. He has also performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Seymour Group, the Song Company, the Sydney Brass Ensemble, the Sydney University Musical Society and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. David is also the organist/continuo player with Australian Baroque Brass. He performed in the 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony and in front of the world leaders at the 2007 APEC concert and at the Youth Festival for World Youth Day 2008.

David has recorded four solo compact discs as well as appearing on numerous recordings with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Song Company, Cantillation and Australian Baroque Brass. ABC Classics have also released ‘Flourish’a trumpet and organ recording with John Foster.

As a composer, David has a large output of choral music published by ‘Crescendo Music’. He is Director of Music at St. Paul’s College within the University of Sydney. He is also the keyboard player with the progressive band ‘Resonaxis’ and Director of the David Jones Staff Christmas Choir.

David is currently organist-in-residence at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle. 

AT THE FESTIVAL