David R. Davidson
1948-2009 

Davidson was the Director of Music and Arts at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas since 2003, and Director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus (DSC) and adjunct instructor of Choral Conducting and Handbells at the Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University since 1993. He was for 18 years the Director of Music at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

At HPUMC, he collaborated with a music staff of six fulltime musicians. The Chancel Choir of 160 singers sings regularly for worship as well as presenting concerts annually in the church’s TowerArts Series. The HPUMC Chancel Choir toured France in 2007 including participation in the 11:00am worship service at Notre Dame Cathedral, a concert at La Madeleine in Paris, as well as cathedrals in Tours and Aix-en-Provence.

Davidson conducted the annual Dallas Symphony Christmas Celebration concerts featuring the Dallas Symphony and Chorus. The DSC performed the Mahler Eighth Symphony with the Israel Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta, toured with acclaim throughout Europe and South America under Davidson’s leadership. The Dallas Morning News headline read, “Davidson expertly steps in” when conducting the Faure “Requiem” in the absence of Maestro Andrew Litton. The New York Times acclaimed the DSC for its 2008 performance of the world premiere of Stephen Stuckey’s August 4, 1964.  Davidson prepared the DSC for performances the Opera Orchestra of New York, for which The New York Times praised the chorus. It was again glorified for its performance of Belshazzar’s Feast with the Dallas Symphony in Carnegie Hall. Davidson prepared choruses for Eduardo Mata, Andrew Litton, Jaap van Zweden, Robert Shaw, Claus Peter Flor, Richard Hickox, Pinkas Zukerman, Gunther Herbig, Eve Queler and Kate Tamarkin to name a few. His work with the Bergen Symphony Chorus in Norway brought reviews of high acclaim for the chorus.

Davidson conducted the chorus and orchestras during the DSC’s 2003 European tour which included the Stefansdom in Vienna, Smetana Hall in Prague, Ottobeuren Abbey, and the Liszt Conservatoire in Budapest. The DSC performed with acclaim as a headliner ensemble for the 2001 National American Choral Directors Association Convention in San Antonio and the Texas Choral Directors Association. Davidson conducted the Highland Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir in performances for the American Choral Directors National Convention in Louisville, the Texas Choral Directors Association Convention, the 1994 American Guild of Organists National Convention, and as the featured choir for the 1990 International Church Music Festival in Coventry, England.  

Davidson’s discography with the DSC includes A Feast of Carols (1994), A Dallas Christmas Gala (2004 with Dallas Symphony) and a live recording of Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (2004). Preparation for other recordings include Porgy and Bess, the Moscow Cantata and 1812 Overture and the Mahler VIII Symphony. 

Davidson made his conducting debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1996 and made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1998 conducting the Texas Festival Chorus and the Inter School Orchestra in a performance of the Mozart Requiem. 

In May 2009, Davidson was named the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, on behalf of the Dallas City Council, extended a special recognition of Davidson’s achievements. At the same time, Davidson’s Choral Conducting Scholarship Fund at CCM became self-sustaining.  The fund, intended to help dedicated, young college students begin their career in choral conducting, was created in 2006 by members of the DSC to honor Davidson’s accomplishments.

A nationally-recognized church music and choral clinician throughout the United States, Davidson chaired the Worship and Choral Music R & S Committee for ACDA as well as served as Vice-President of Church and Community Choirs for the Texas Choral Directors Association. Davidson was an Honorary Life Member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., an organization he served as national President in 1981-83 after serving as its secretary for two terms and chairman of its Area V for two terms. Davidson was an internationally acclaimed handbell clinician and festival conductor. He annually conducted Distinctly Bronze, a festival for auditioned advanced ringers, for AGEHR. In 2003, Davidson received the National Religious Music Week Alliance Award of Distinction. 

Davidson founded the professional Dallas Handbell Ensemble which made three recordings and earned recognition as one of the nation’s finest community handbell ensembles. While at Highland Park Presbyterian, he directed the Chancel Choir at the International Church Music Symposium in Coventry, England, as well as touring with the choir in 1995 to eastern Europe and in 1999 to England and Scotland. The HPPC Chancel Choir also performed at the National ACDA Convention in Louisville, KY. While at HPPC, the Music Department made four recordings – Sounds of Faith, Sounds from Wynne Chapel, Sounds of Prayer and Praise, and To God Be the Glory.

Davidson received Bachelor of Music degrees in piano performance and music education from CCM where he also completed all course work for the Master of Music degree in choral conducting. He was a masterclass conductor at the eighth International Choral Director’s Seminar in Brugge, Belgium. He has done independent study and Masterclasses with Dr. Lara Hoggard, Lazlo Heltay, Sir David Willcocks and Robert Shaw.

David leaves behind wife Judith Anne Davidson, an elementary music specialist who teaches at The Episcopal School of Dallas and directs a children’s choir at HPUMC, two children, Chris and Jena, and two beautiful grandchildren, Cameron and Dylan.