David Chickering
Cello, Section Principal Emeritus
Born and raised in upstate New York, ‘Chick’ began his musical studies on the piano at the age of 5.
The cello was added a few years later after a brief and embarrassing stint with the baritone horn.
After completing a performance degree at Northwestern University, Illinois, David was a member of several orchestras worldwide including those in Milwaukee, Syracuse, Chicago, Santa Fe, San Jose (Costa Rica) and Auckland.
Little Falls Symphony
His very first orchestra was the Little Falls Symphony in New York, where at the age of 12, he would help the conductor, Leon Dussault, set up the chairs and stands before each Monday night rehearsal (he has since firmly been denied permission to move any furniture by the NZSO Operations Staff).
The NZSO
Every day I thank my lucky stars that I'm here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Having arrived in Auckland in 1991 on a perfect summer day, I have never taken my good fortune for granted.
Chick joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1993. Originally Section Principal Cello and paired with the legendary Allan Chisholm, he has been steadily making his way towards the back. With the brilliant additions of Andrew Joyce, Ken Ichinose, and Ian Greenberg, Chick is happily rotating in the section.
Most people don't know how amazing it is to sit in the middle of our orchestra playing the best music ever created. It's great when we are able to include students at various times during our season so that they get a taste of what it's like to experience what we experience.
The best thing about playing in the NZSO...is playing in the NZSO. So many people - from Kerikeri to Invercargill - love our passion for the music we have to offer and look forward to our visits.
Q&A
Hi Chick, why did you return your bio update 3 weeks late?
Sorry I was late...that's something that's more difficult to say to conductors.
Haha, l can imagine. Do you get nervous before performing?
I don't get nervous for NZSO concerts...but I used to when I had solos as Principal. I would pick out an elderly grandmotherly type in the audience and imagine that I was just playing to her. That wore off though. What worked consistently was holding my breath for a period of time before the solo to slow my heartbeat....worked every time - when I didn't black out.
My pre-performance ritual has remained the same ever since I discovered its effectiveness many years ago - exercise, a very early meal, and a NAP!...in that order.
What instrument would you play if not your current instrument?
I played the timpani in a summer camp orchestra 10 years ago. It was a BLAST!
But I'd choose the cello again.
What is your favourite music outside of classical?
Other than ‘classical’ music, I enjoy pop, some rock, folk...Sting, Joni Mitchell, Hozier, Paul Simon, Eastern European women's choirs, Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Lorde, Dire Straits, Emmylou Harris, Stan Rogers, and Buena Vista Social Club.
Chick’s favourite musical experiences, so far:
• Sitting at the front with Allan Chisholm for 17 years
• Hillary Hahn and Sibelius
• Alexander Rudin and his Marvellous Montagnana cello
• Sting
• Alien Weaponry
• Moving back in the section and finding Baz and Jules
• Seeing my 3-year-old son at his first NZSO concert
• Osmo Vänskä
• Augustin Hadelich.
What do like to do other than play cello?
I love to walk around Wellington - especially in the pursuit of making sure a small ball finds its way into the bottom of 18 small holes. I walk everywhere in all kinds of weather. During the lockdowns, I discovered all kinds of zig-zags I never knew existed. I bike, swim, rollerblade on the Wellington waterfront, and play table tennis. I also enjoy busking for causes.
I first saw Wellington on a ‘you can't beat Wellington on a good day’ kind of day. I had known since about 1985 that I wanted to be a Kiwi and a Wellingtonian. And here I am!
Thanks Chick.
Be sure to catch David performing in a concert near you.