Biography
David Hamilton studied at Auckland University (1974-1979), gaining Master of Music (1st class honours), and was Head of Music at Epsom Girls Grammar School, Auckland until 2001. He continued to conduct EGGS’ award-winning girls’ choir Opus until the end of 2003, and conducted St Mary’s Schola from 2008 to 2012. He has been Deputy Music Director of Auckland Choral (1996-2011), and in 1999 was Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He is currently involved with schools on a part-time basis as a composition tutor and choral conductor, while devoting more time to composition. Other activities have included choral adjudication in Japan, Hawaii, Argentina and Wales, and workshop presentations in Singapore, Boston and Kuala Lumpur. In 2013 he was guest composer at the national choral event Sing Aotearoa, and in 2015 composer-in-residence at the NZ Singing School.
He is particularly known for his choral music which is widely performed, especially by school, youth and community choirs. His music has been published and recorded in North America, England, Germany and Finland. Recent works have been commissioned by choirs in Japan, Finland, England, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the USA.
His Veni Sancte Spiritus was awarded 1st prize in a composition competition run by the University of Bologna (Italy) in 2000, and in 2005 Deus, Deus meus took 1st prize in the NUVOVOX Choral Award in the USA. In 2006 he won the Ned Rorem Award for Song Composition (USA), and the NZ Flute Society composers’ competition. In 2007 Hine Raukatauri, for flute and chamber orchestra, took 1st prize in the Haifa International Composers’ Competition (Israel), and The Singers took 2nd place in the Longfellow Chorus Composers’ Competition (USA). In 2008 Carol of Cold Comfort was awarded 2nd place in The Chapter House Choir Composers’ Competition (York, England), and in 2014 Wairua for solo harp took 1st place in the NZ Harp Society’s competition. In 2016 American Triptych took 1st place in a competition for the Stockton Chorale (USA). In 2017 Are We There Yet? for viola ensemble took 1st place in the Australia and NZ Viola Society composer’s competition, and Cling to Me was placed third in the 4th Komos Choral Composition Competition (Bologna, Italy). In 2018 he was awarded the SOUNZ Community Commission for a new work for youth groups in Taranaki.
In 2019 Electric for chamber ensemble was a winner in the Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble’s composer’s contest. In 2020 Night Songs III won the Delta Omicron Composition Competition (USA), and choral works took 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the IX Amadeus International Choral Composition Competition 2020 (Spain).
Composed (698)
for two-part treble voices and organ (or piano) with optional instrumental part
for soprano and baritone soloists, SSA and SATB choirs and organ
for unison voices and piano with optional organ (or for unaccompanied SATB choir), 3m
for SSA and SATB semi-choruses, SAATB choir, percussion and piano duet, 6m
for congregation, brass sextet and organ (or piano) with optional SATB choir
for congregation, SATB choir, brass sextet and organ (or piano)
for SSAA choir, congregation, flute and organ
for solo voice(s), three-part treble voices, piano and organ with optional percussion, 6m 15s
for unison and two-part choirs, narrator(s) and chamber ensemble a Christmas choral celebration for young singers, 30m
for unison choir or solo voice, SSA choir and piano with optional cello, 2m 30s
for Northumbrian smallpipes (or substitute), SATB choir piano (or organ), 3m 40s
for solo alto, SSA and SAB semi-choruses, SAATBB choir, three percussionists, piano and organ, 25m
for mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, unison treble voices, mixed-voice choir and chamber orchestra, 15m
for two SSATB choirs and two horns (or one horn and pre-recorded tape), 9m
for mezzo-soprano solo, SSA choir, percussion, solo cello and string orchestra
Arranged (13)
Commissioned (2)
Recordings (41)
Resources (4)
Performances (5)
__This event has been postponed. We will update this page when more information is available__. ...
__Additional performances:__ [June 20th (Waikanae)](https://www.sounz.org.nz/events/279...
__Miranda Adams__ | violin __William Hanfling__ | violin __Robert Ashworth__ | viola __E...
__Miranda Adams__ | violin __William Hanfling__ | violin __Robert Ashworth__ | viola __E...
__Miranda Adams__ | violin __William Hanfling__ | violin __Robert Ashworth__ | viola __E...