David Chafe

Pianist, Accompanist, Teacher

2009 East Coast Music Award nominee for Classical Recording of the Year (Over Hill and Valley)
2008 Music Nova Scotia Classical Album of the Year (for "Over Hill and Valley")
2007 MUSICNL Gospel Artist of the Year (for "Bright and Beautiful")
2007 MUSICNL Classical Artists of the Year with Christopher Bowman (for "Over Hill and Valley")
2006 MUSICNL Gospel Artist of the Year (for "It Is Well")
2005 MUSICNL Gospel Artist of the Year (as a member of the Celebration gospel group)

Pianist David Chafe hasn't looked back since entering the Memorial University of Newfoundland's (MUN) School of Music as an undergraduate student in 1998. A proud native of St. John's, Newfoundland, he earned his Bachelor of Music (Honours; Piano Performance) in 2002 and Master of Music in 2004 (Performance and Pedagogy) from the Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Music as a student of Dr. Kristina Szutor. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University which enables him to manage his career as a teacher, performer, accompanist, recording artist, concert producer and musical director in his St. John's home.

David's debut recording in 2006, "It Is Well," is a compilation of fourteen old and timeless hymns especially arranged for solo piano (click here for listening samples). "It Is Well" and his work in Christian music earned David the distinction of 2006 Gospel/Christian Artist of the Year awarded by the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUSICNL). Upon its release, David successfully produced, hosted and performed in a hugely successful concert with many of his musical colleagues to celebrate not only his first solo recording, but also the diversity of styles within Christian music.

In 2007, David released "Bright and Beautiful", a collection of twelve beautiful hymns, most arranged by David, and featuring a broadly diverse gathering of some of Newfoundland's finest musicians (click here for listening samples). David was recognized by MUSICNL as 2007 Gospel Artist of the Year for "Bright and Beautiful." His concept of this album is to re-introduce old Christian songs with the fresh musical interpretations of great Newfoundland artists from the jazz, country, folk, musical theatre and classical genres. With Patrick Boyle (trumpet), Sandy Morris (guitar), Christina Smith (violin) and singers Shelley Neville, Julia Halfyard, Andrew Dale, Mark House, Stephan Maloney and Christopher Bowman... all with David Chafe on piano... this is a very special recording project with David's closest friends and most treasured colleagues.

Also in 2007, David and baritone Christopher Bowman of Nova Scotia released the highly praised classical CD "Over Hill and Valley." This recording features two stunning song cycles; "Song of Travel" by Ralph Vaughan Williams based on the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson; and "Earth and Air and Rain" by Gerald Finzi based on the poetry of Thomas Hardy (click here for listening samples). For this major project, Music Nova Scotia lauded "Over Hill and Valley" as 2008 Classical Album of the Year and MUSICNL recognized David and Chris as 2007 Classical Artists of the Year. The album was also nominated in 2009 for an East Coast Music Award. Each year, they perform classical recitals in St. John's and Truro.

David rounded out his prolific 2007 with the release of the critically-acclaimed and popular Christmas album "Midnight Clear" with singer Andrew Dale. This exquisite CD features peaceful and intimate settings of the best-known and loved carols including See Amid the Winter's Snow, O Holy Night, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and many more (click here for listening samples). This album also features the world premiere recording of Stephen Hatfield's How Long the Night Can Last. Their music is featured extensively each Christmas by CBC Radio One in St. John's.

David was recognized by MusicNL in 2009 for his teaching endeavours, receiving a nomination as Educator of the Year. In Summer 2009, he and colleague Sheena Roberts established the first ever Piano Camp for young pianists aged eleven to sixteen years, specializing in efficient and effective practice and performance techniques. This inaugural Piano Camp was a tremendous success, receiving high praise from the students and their parents and is now an annual event happening in St. John's every August.

David is co-founder, co-artistic director, manager, accompanist and singer for the Newman Sound Men's Choir whose debut CD "The Green and Salty Days" will be released in Fall 2010. He is the founding accompanist for the internationally renowned Lady Cove Women's Choir. His playing can also be heard on CD's by Lady Cove, Cantus Vocum Chamber Choir, gospel singer Mark House and the gospel group Celebration.

Each year, he produces, hosts and performs in a popular gospel concert which celebrates music with positive messages and showcases an exciting array of established and new talents. David was producer and host of one of the most successful concerts during JUNO week in 2010 when he presented Newfoundland and Labrador's best gospel artists in hugely popular "Gospel On The Edge."

David teaches piano and music theory privately, is mentor to many aspiring young musicians and is the accompanist for some of the most promising students of the MUN School of Music as well as for professional singers, instrumentalists and school choirs. As a solo performer, David regularly performs complete solo piano recitals. His latest offerings have included Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", Schumann's "Carnaval" as well as selected works by Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart. He is planning his next solo piano recital featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Ginastera.

He is an adjudicator for music festivals and conservatories throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. In the community, David is Chair of the Board of Directors of Waypoints, a provider of shelter and social and education programs for young people requiring special assistance. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of MusicNL, The Kiwanis Music Festival Association of St. John's, The Association of Cultural Industries of Newfoundland and Labrador and St. Thomas' Anglican Church.