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 and prior to his appointment to the NZSO, Chickering completed a performance degree at Northwestern University. He was a member of several orchestras worldwide including those in Milwaukee, Syracuse, Chicago, Santa Fe, San Jose (Costa Rica) and Auckland. But his first orchestra was the Little Falls Symphony where, at the age of 12, he would help the conductor, Leon Dussault, set up the chairs and stands before each Monday night rehearsal.
Firmly denied permission to move any furniture by the NZSO Operations Staff, David can be found rollerblading on the Wellington waterfront, swimming, playing table tennis, and walking everywhere, especially in the pursuit of making sure a small ball finds its way into the bottom of 18 small cups.
Originally Section Principal Cello of the NZSO and paired with the legendary Allan Chisholm, he has been steadily making his way towards the back. With the brilliant additions of Andrew Joyce and Ken Ichinose, Chick is happily in the third chair.