Mr. David Christmas
David’s lifelong journey in music started when he was 10 years old. His mother had him singing in a local church choir in Toronto, Ontario, where he grew up. That lasted for quite a few years. Then, in 1972, again in Toronto, David joined the East York barbershop chapter and became the bass section leader under the direction of George Shields. A few years later, he transferred to the Scarborough Dukes Of Harmony, where Ray Danley was the director, and he became the bass section leader for that chorus, too. There were 125 singers in that chorus, and 40 singers just in the bass section. David had the great fortune to be with the Dukes during their run through the bronze, silver, and gold medals won at international competitions, and he attended quite a few international conventions as a Duke.
In 1980, David sang bass in the Celebration quartet, with Sharon Main on tenor, Marlene Chupa (Brampton Sweet Adelines director) on lead, and Ray Danley on baritone and playing the guitar. This was one of the first mixed quartets in Southern Ontario at that time. From 1985 to 1990, Celebration sang with the Tom deMoraes Swing Band as a backup quartet to Ted Kowalski, who was the tenor for the Diamonds (think Little Darlin’ in the 1950s) and was the solo male singer with the band. Celebration sang with that big band in the style of the 1940s group, the “Skylarks”. In 1990, Debra and David moved to Victoria, BC, and he took a break from Barbershop for about 20 years. In 2009, he was asked to sing with a local quartet called Just For You, and from that meeting, the Trounce Alley Quartet was formed. David joined the Victoria Village Squires, which later became the South Island Harmony chapter. Under the direction of Peter McBride, David was assistant director of the chorus at that time, while acting as the bass section leader, and when Peter left, Andrew Rogers took over as the main arm-waver. David inherited the directing spot when Andrew moved away. Then, Dr Kinza Tyrrell took over as our new director and artistic coach, and David took on the role of the official assistant director, as well as the bass section leader and vocal coach to the chorus members. After Kinza left our chorus, David took over as the director and is enjoying it immensely. He finds it rewarding to work with talented and motivated singers.
If the chorus needs learning tracks for new songs and they are not available from the Barbershop Harmony Society, David makes them in his home studio so our singers have a vocal guide to follow when learning new music. This is also David’s fifteenth year singing with the Trounce Alley quartet, and they have produced three CDs in the studio and have had a great time doing it. It has been quite a ride for him so far, and he is not finished yet.
When not making music for the chorus, David keeps busy with other hobbies. He plays standup bass in the local orchestra and plays electric bass on one of his church’s worship teams. A few years ago, he gave up woodturning after being so productive that his house filled up with bowls and other turned objects. David still enjoys woodworking and is trying his hand at wood carving; the inspiration strikes him. His wife Debra and he enjoy walking in their neighbourhood, even when it rains. David is an avid pickleball player, a gardener, and enjoys riding his classic Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and doing his own service maintenance. And his science fiction first edition book collection is something he is always looking to add to.
Directing the South Island Harmony chorus is a challenge for David and is something at which he works to constantly improve his skills.
