Born 1955 in Napier (New Zealand), with most schooling in Taupo. Attended Auckland University 1974-1979, gaining Master of Music (1st class honours) and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Principal composition teachers were Douglas Mews and John Rimmer. Attended Auckland Teachers College in 1980, and joined the staff of Epsom Girls Grammar School the following year - appointed Head of Music in 1986. There is also extensive involvement nationally with music education including prescription writing, moderation, and as a member of the Music expert panel guiding the implementation of the new National Certificate in Educational Achievement from 1999 to 2003. Currently Deputy Music Director of Auckland Choral (Auckland's symphonic choir). Served as Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for 1999, with leave from school extended through 2000 to pursue a number of composition projects. Returned to full-time teaching in 2001, resigning at the end of the year to devote more time to composition while maintaining active involvement in music education on a part-time basis. Continued as conductor of the highly regarded girls choir ‘Opus’ from Epsom Girls Grammar School until the end of 2003. Now working as a composition tutor and choral conductor in several Auckland schools, and involved with occasional part-time lecturing at the University of Auckland. Also active as a choral adjudicator, having served on juries in Japan and Hawaii, with an invitation to the Trelew international choral competition in Argentina in 2009.
Early recognition as a composer came through winning three national competitions in 1978, and another in 1979. Winner of Wellington Youth Orchestra's composers competition twice (1978 and 1981), and Dunedin Sinfonia's competition (1987). Recent awards include first prize in the 2000 choral composition competition organised by the University of Bologna (Italy), first prize in the 2003 orchestral composition competition organised by New Zealand's New Plymouth Orchestra, and first prize in the NUVOVOX Choral Award in the USA in 2005 for "Deus, Deus Meus". This was followed in 2006 with the Ned Rorem Award for Song Composition in the USA and 1st prize in a competition by the NZ Flute Society for a new piece for solo flute. In 2007 “Hine Raukatauri”, a concerto for flute and chamber orchestra, took 1st prize in the Haifa International Composers Competition (Israel), and a setting of “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). Works have been commissioned by most major New Zealand groups including Radio New Zealand, NZ Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Choral Society, Chamber Music NZ, the NZ Youth Choir, and the Auckland Philharmonia. Works are increasingly being performed outside New Zealand, with recent performances in Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra (Australia), Vancouver and Toronto (Canada), Seattle, San Francisco and Washington DC (USA), Manchester and York (England), and Galway (Ireland). There is a particular affinity for choral music, with well over a hundred works for this medium, many of which are widely and regularly performed throughout New Zealand. In late 1991 a CD of a dozen choral works was released under the title “Noises, Sounds and Sweet Airs” (performed by Auckland choir Viva Voce). A substantial number of choral works have been published in Finland by SULASOL, and in the USA by Colla Voce Music, Walton Music, Neil Kjos Music, BriLee Music and earthsongs, with works recorded in North America, England, Ireland and Finland. Current major influences are from the contemporary American scene: especially the minimalist composers (Glass, Reich, Adams, Torke etc.). Note: a brief biographical note is printed at the foot of this page, suitable for concert programmes etc.
“To my mind this young writer is the most successful composer in the country in reconciling an original and imaginative style with music that is immediately accessible to a wide public.” Ian Dando (Christchurch Star 28/6/90) “Not surprisingly it was David Hamilton's day; this composer has cut quite a swathe through the already strong choral tradition within New Zealand with his highly effective pieces.” Tara Werner (reviewing the Secondary Schools Choral Festival NZ Herald 22/6/95) “Cast in three movements, the work is beautifully written for large orchestral forces, with a prominent role for the percussion. In the past, Hamilton’s work has been for smaller instrumental forces and choral platforms, so the consummate orchestral skill of 'Leukos' confirms immediately the value of his recent residency with the Auckland Philharmonia.” Heath Lees (reviewing the premiere of 'Leukos', NZ Herald 20/10/00) "The highlight for me was David Hamilton's "The Dragons are Singing Tonight", a strong well-crafted and highly entertaining work, performed with confidence and obvious enjoyment." David Sell (reviewing "The Dragons are Singing Tonight", Christchurch Press 7/8/00) "...and to cap it, the premiere of a commissioned work by David Hamilton. I say "to cap it all" because "Monday's Troll" was a real treat; it is a well-crafted work which fitted into the programme well and had the right humorous touch and gave the City Choir their best slot of the night. Hamilton is well-known for his vocal writing and this work is no exception; his orchestration was similarly impressive." Patrick Shepherd (reviewing the premiere of "Monday's Troll" Christchurch Press 11/11/02 “Hamilton piece a triumph of innovation and vibrancy… A more welcoming score you could not imagine…it was the sheer inventiveness of the composer that made the work so vibrant. This was a solid and exciting piece, written with a balance of expertise and sensitivity that should ensure it is picked up by other enterprising choral groups.”      William Dart (reviewing the premiere of “Missa Pacifica” NZ Herald 9/11/05)   Brief biographical note.... DAVID HAMILTON New Zealand composer David Hamilton (b.1955) was Head of Music at Epsom Girls Grammar School until the end of 2001 where he conducted the award-winning girls choir Opus. He is Deputy Musical Director of Auckland Choral and has been Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia (1999). He concentrates on composing while maintaining part-time involvement in muic education as a composition tutor, lecturer and choral conductor. He is well-known as a choral conductor, adjudicator, workshop leader and clinician. His choral music is widely performed, and is published in the UK, USA, and Finland. Works have been commissioned by choirs in Japan, England, Finland, the USA, and Ireland. Choral works have won recent competitions in Italy (2000 – “Veni Sancte Spiritus”) and the USA (2005 – “Deus, Deus meus”). In 2006 he won the Ned Rorem Award for Song Composition (USA) and the NZ Flute Society’s composers’ competition. In 2007 “Hine Raukatauri”, a concerto for flute and chamber orchestra, took 1st prize in the Haifa International Composers Competition (Israel), and a setting of “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).