David Spicer will perform a recital on the new Wicks organ at St. Robert Bellarmine church in Omaha for the Region VI convention in June, 2007.

David Spicer is Minister of Music and the Arts at the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he directs a multiple vocal and handbell choir program and produces a monthly concert series. Before assuming the Wethersfield position in October 1986, Spicer was Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, and taught church music at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Prior to this he was Organist/Choirmaster at the Wayne (Pennsylvania) Presbyterian Church. A native of Austin, Texas, Spicer received his first musical training from his parents, playing the organ in church at the age of eight. Childhood organ teachers included Donald Firnhaber, Eleanor Page, Henri Pantillion, and Esma Beth Clark. Spicer is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he was an Artist/Scholar under the renowned Dr. Alexander McCurdy. Graduate studies were completed at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, also in Philadelphia. Further organ study was done under Dr. Robert Elmore. Spicer acknowledges Dr. Virgil Fox as a source of inspiration for his own style of organ playing. As a recitalist, David Spicer always involves his audience and likes to feel that they “walk away with a greater understanding of the king of instruments.” He is known for his transcriptions, included in every recital. Spicer is house organist at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts in Hartford, has taught at Central Connecticut State University and is on the faculty of Tunxis Community College. A gifted conductor, Spicer has presented several area premier performances. As a teacher, he has the distinction of having had three of his students win full scholarships to his alma mater, the Curtis Institute of Music. His work is widely recognized for its creativity and inspiration. In 1997 he and Dr. Harold Robles founded the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival/USA. This national competition is for high school student organists and those in college (through age 26), the Young Professional division. This competition, now in its tenth year, attracts outstanding organists from all across the country. Three adjudicators from the United States and beyond are brought to the festival each year, with awards totaling approximately $10,000. David Spicer is married to Dana, an artist and designer. They have a blended family of seven children and six grandchildren. Spicer’s interests include Biblical studies, model railroading, astronomy and sports cars. He is dedicated to the idea that Christianity and music, two of the greatest forces in our world, can effectively merge to wash away “the dust of everyday life” from our souls.

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