David Price (musician)


David John Chandler Price is a British choral conductor and organist.

Early life and education

Price studied organ at Trinity College of Music, graduating in 1991. He was also organ scholar at Croydon Parish Church. During his last year at Trinity, he was organ scholar at Rochester Cathedral under Barry Ferguson. Upon graduating, he became assistant organist at Ely Cathedral, succeeding Jeremy Filsell.

Career

Ely

Price started at Ely Cathedral in September 1991 under Paul Trepte. A recording of Amner's choral music is among four CDs recorded while Price was at Ely. He also helped to re-establish and direct the Ely Consort in 1994. He was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral in 1996, following Adrian Lucas's appointment at Worcester Cathedral.

Portsmouth

Price's tenure has seen a number of major changes to the Music Department: the number of sung services has been increased, a girls' choir, called "Cantate", was established in 2006, and a gap year scheme for choral scholars has been introduced, in partnership with The Portsmouth Grammar School. Price has also overseen the installation of the West Great organ in 2001 and a chamber organ in 2007. In addition, the choir have moved from the Song School in the north cloister of the cathedral to a new suite in Cathedral House opposite. In 2017, a major refurbishment was undertaken on the cathedral organ, including the addition of a set of West End en chamade trumpets.
During his tenth year in Portsmouth in 2007, Price was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the University of Portsmouth in recognition of his contribution to the musical life of the city, which has included not only work in the daily cathedral services, but also special civic and national events, university graduations and the Portsmouth Festivities.
Price was made an honorary fellow of the Academy of Saint Cecilia for his contribution to the performance of early music through his work at Portsmouth. In 2013, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.

Personal life

Price is the son-in-law of the late Kenneth Stevenson, a former Bishop of Portsmouth, and is married to Katharine "Kitty" Price.

Discography