Dave's Musical Resume
Upcoming Performances

Weekly: Singing with the Holmdel Community United Church of Christ Adult Choir.
Saturday, December 3, 2011: Ocean County College Concert Band Holiday Concert. 8:00 p.m. at the college's Arts and Community Center. Repertoire includes "Sleigh Ride" and "Christmas Festival", both by Leroy Anderson.

Current Gigs

Since September 1, 2003, I have been the band teacher at North Dover and West Dover Elementary School. I am also teaching one class of Kindergarten music at North Dover. First job I've ever had where it's a misnomer to call it "work". Previously, I was the Orchestra teacher for all three High Schools (2/28/2002-6/30/2003).

Most Sundays I am now singing with the choir (tenor) at the Holmdel Community United Church of Christ. I joined the church in March 2007 and am proud to serve God in this way through my music. I have also played instrumental accompaniments to some of our anthems, introits and offertories, and also direct the children's choir at the church - the aptly-named "Joyful Noisemakers."

I have rejoined the Ocean County College Concert Band after a ten-year absence. I began playing in the band from 1994-1999 under the baton of Phillip E. Moore and Gerald Risden. When I returned in 2009, Tony Tafrow assumed the role of conductor.

Other Places I've Played

Brass Tacks Orchestra (1996-2005), Dover Township Municipal Band (2002-2003), Ocean Township High School Concert and Marching Bands (1978-1979), Monmouth College Concert Band (1979-1983), Monmouth College Chorus (1980-1983, including a week backing up Paul Anka at the Garden State Arts Center), Ocean Pops Band (1997-1998), Manahawkin United Methodist Church "Holy Spirit Ringers" (1997-2007), Manalapan Battleground Symphony (2000-2007), Jackson Civic Chorus (2007-2008).

Pit Orchestras: Bye Bye Birdie, Camelot, A Chorus Line, Funny Girl, Joseph/Dreamcoat, The King And I, The Music Man, Once Upon A Mattress, Pippin, Scrooge, State Fair, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story (twice). Theatre companies: Dream Street Productions, Our Gang Players, Phoenix Productions, Premier Theatre Company, Monmouth University, Spring Lake Community Theatre, Toms River High School North, Ocean Township High School.

Affiliation: American Federation Of Musicians, Local 399. (Hence the reference above to "399 band".)

Ever Have Your Picture Taken With Anyone Famous? Sure! Here's Dave, looking very Bohemian in his college days (dig that cap!), with the great jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) after a performance at Brick Memorial High School, I believe around 1980 or 1981. Click on the picture if you really want to see a bigger one.

Dave Recommends:

Don Spaulding has retired, but the quality is still there. Don established the orchestra program in the Toms River district, and I learned a heck of a lot about string instruments from him when I briefly acted as one of his successors. No store around beats them for setup and service of string instruments. The Violin Shop is part of Garden State Music in Toms River. Another good store is The Violin Shop in Wall, not related to the Toms River established, but actually a continuation of a store established by one of my earliest music teachers, the late Karl Safran.

John Urspruch is my ace repairman. He has worked on all my instruments, and he's our district's designated repair facility. John has come to my rescue and that of my students on many occasions. He'll work the same wonders on your instruments.