David is the only son in a family of seven children born to Leland and Olive Parsons in the rectory of All Souls Anglican Church, Leichhardt where his father, Leland, was the minister. He grew up taking more than passing interest in the church music. With a Licentiate Degree in Music, David’s father decided to have him taught the piano when he was eight, continuing through the grades for the next seven years.
It was the church organ that attracted David the most, and at the age of 14, he was appointed organist in his church. From then on, the training and experience gained over the following sixteen years until his father’s retirement the foundations of a very successful career in church music were laid.
Career
In 1965 David became organist and choirmaster at St Philip’s Church of England, Eastwood, NSW, Australia for 13 years, and in 1978 his next appointment was to St Matthew’s, West Pennant Hills,NSW, Australia.
Loving all kinds of music, David soon developed a love of the theatre organ, and remembers first playing a Wurlitzer organ in the Plaza Theatre in George Street, Sydney, where Reubert Hayes was the organist. After the evening session one Saturday in 1952, Reubert allowed him to bring the organ up on the hoist and play a few tunes. What an exciting time that was; and from then on, he has developed a style of his own, playing popular music on all of the remaining theatre organs in Sydney and beyond. This has led him to some notable appointments such as Assistant City Organist (Theatre) in Sydney, playing the Sydney Town Hall Grand Organ for many concerts; playing the opening concert on the restored Wurlitzer Organ in Willoughby Town Hall and an inaugural recitalist at the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ, always playing to record crowds.
Since 1970, David and Beverley have been entertaining tens of thousands of people in fundraising efforts. As a result, in 1985 David was awarded The Order of Australia Medal (O.A.M.) and in 1992 the Paul Harris Fellow Medal (Rotary International’s highest award) for services to the community. He is also the Concert Performing Artist for the Pipeless Pipe Organ Company, demonstrating the Ahlborn Galanti.
During his career David has recorded a total of seven LP’s, CD’s and cassettes, three of which are currently available at his concerts.
David continues to give lunchtime organ concerts to retirement villages and social groups. It is not uncommon for groups of people to visit from as far a field as Wollongong, Bowral and Port Stephens. David’s extensive career takes him all over the east coast of Australia, to Tasmania and Norfolk Island with his concert tours bringing pleasure to thousands of people.
Achievements
Connections
David has been married to Beverley for nearly 60 years, has 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Wife:
Beverely Parsons
Daughter:
Cheryl Hill
Son:
Gregory Parsons
Daughter:
Karen Cooper
Daughter:
Glenda Colgan
References
David Parsons Organ Concerts
Relive the wonderful sounds of the theatre organ with David Parsons (OAM), the well-known Australian church and theatre organist.