A combination of traditional keyboard studies, a passion for entertainment history and a long association with the theatre organ society of Australia has put David in a unique position to carry on the traditions of silent film accompaniment.

Theatre organs – the mighty instruments which once graced cinemas such as the Brisbane Regent and Brisbane Wintergarden, gave films their first soundtracks. Composing and performing scores for silent films not only requires skill and musical sensitivity but also an in-depth knowledge of the vast resources of the organs themselves.

David who has performed regularly in concert and for film screenings around the country has resided at the console of the Brisbane Regent theatre Wurlitzer organ in its new home at GOMA since the gallery opened in 2007.

Image credit: Martin Pickering