David Chaulk, a native of Canada, was introduced to brass playing in The Salvation Army.

After successes in Canadian national competitions, David studied euphonium and trombone at Asbury College and Northwestern University (USA). His principal teachers included Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, James Curnow and Charles Vernon. While a student, David was a finalist in the 1980 ITEC Euphonium Solo Competition and, in 1979, was winner of the prestigious Penniston Concerto Competition.

Following graduation, David was a freelance orchestral and commercial musician in Chicago and Atlanta. He regularly performed with leading orchestras and in recording studios. In 1985 David and Stephen Bulla released the highly acclaimed euphonium and piano recording ‘Variants’. Maintaining links with the Salvation Army brass band world, David served as Principal Euphonium of both the Canadian and Chicago Staff Bands, as well as being conductor of the famous Hamilton Temple Band (Canada). In 1989 he was founding musical director of The Sovereign Brass – one of Canada’s leading chamber brass ensembles.

Since moving to New Zealand, David has had an ongoing association with The Trusts Waitakere Brass. At various times he has been the band’s Principal Euphonium, Principal Trombone and Musical Director (’94-’96 / ’03-’04). David was Principal Trombonist of the 2003 Australian champion band. Later in 2003 David won the New Zealand Open Trombone Championship and, subsequently, the New Zealand Champion of Champions title. In February 2004 David was runner up in the Ern Keller International Soloist Competition in Sydney. In July 2004 David repeated as Open Trombone champion and became the first person in 28 years to win two consecutive Champion of Champions titles.

David is one of New Zealand’s leading professional trombonists, performing regularly with groups including the Auckland Philharmonia, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the trombone ensemble BonaNZa and the Vaughn Roberts Big Band. In early 2004 he commenced his new role as Section Principal Trombone of the Wellington Sinfonia. Additionally David is Musical Director of the Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass.

David Chaulk is also a prolific composer / arranger, having more than 50 works published or recorded. Recently he was commissioned to write the Open Bass Trombone solo for the 2004 New Zealand Brass Band Championship.