University News Last updated 22 April
Canadian saxophonist David Zucchi joined RBC as its Head of Saxophone on Monday 13 April. As a performer of classical, contemporary, experimental and improvised music, he regularly collaborates across the UK, Europe, and Canada. Regular collaborators include accordionist Iñigo Mikeleiz-Berrade as MZ Duo; winners of the 2021 ROSL Mixed Ensemble Prize and City Music Foundation Artists, Ferio Saxophone Quartet, Alex Paxton’s Dream Musics and Ian Wadley.
David has performed and recorded with leading contemporary music ensembles including Explore Ensemble, Apartment House, GBSR Duo, Octandre Ensemble, and An assembly.
Recently, David gave the UK premiere of Tyshawn Sorey's saxophone concerto ‘Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith)’ with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Sheen.
David’s pedagogic experience includes being an Associate Lecturer at Goldsmiths University and the BIMM Music Institute. He has also delivered saxophone masterclasses, workshops and guest lectures at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, University of Huddersfield, University of Toronto and the Hochschule Luzern.
David was born in London and grew up in Toronto, returning to London where he graduated from the Royal College of Music with a Master’s and Artist Diploma. At this time, he studied with Kyle Horch as an Edward and Helen Hague Scholar.
Previously, David attended the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, where he studied saxophone with Wallace Halladay and composition with Alexander Rapoport. On graduating, he was awarded the William and Phyllis Waters Graduating Award, the Faculty’s top prize.
David recently completed a PhD at the University of Huddersfield’s Centre for Research for New Music on experimental approaches to saxophone intonation, supported by the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund’s Belle Shenkman Award.
David has received additional support from the Canada Council for the Arts, David and Marcia Beach Summer Study Award, the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto, the William and Phyllis Waters Graduating Award from the University of Toronto, and the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award.
David said: “I am delighted to join RBC as Head of Saxophone and look forward to building on the success and dynamism of the Saxophone Department. I am also very much looking forward to working with current and future saxophone students, and my new colleagues across the Conservatoire.”
Head of Woodwind Jenni Phillips said: “We are totally delighted to welcome David to RBC as our new Head of Saxophone. He brings a wealth of teaching and performing expertise to inspire our saxophone and multi-instrumentalists. I would like to take this moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to Naomi Sullivan for all her years of dedication and outstanding leadership, as she leaves us as Head of Department.
“We are excited to see the Saxophone Department build on these strong foundations and look forward to the creative energy I know that David will bring.”