David Chickering

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.