It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our Conductor Emeritus, David Openshaw MBE, a remarkable musician and leader who shaped the Studio Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean, Richard, Kate and David’s wider family, his many friends and all who were touched by his music, mentorship and kindness.

David Openshaw came to Northern Ireland as Principal Timpanist with the Ulster Orchestra in 1972.  Shortly afterwards, on the retirement of our founder, Dr Havelock Nelson, he took over as Principal Conductor of the Studio Symphony Orchestra. 

It goes without saying that being the conductor is a very important role, and equally obviously requires a very skilled musician.  As well as giving us musical direction, the conductor also sets the character of rehearsals with their own particular style and approach.  David delivered the perfect balance of performance and pleasure.  Our Tuesday evening rehearsals were relaxed and unintimidating but delivered detailed work and improvement with good humour and encouragement.  Generations of local musicians have benefitted from this unique opportunity to play in a professionally directed symphony orchestra and we all learned and improved as musicians due directly to David’s highly skilled leadership and his ability to inspire us.

David followed Havelock’s ethos and worked with many up-and-coming soloists over the years and he also brought an additional stream of talent with fellow members of the Ulster Orchestra regularly appearing as soloists.  David certainly did not lack ambition, taking on challenging repertoire and delivering many memorable performances.  How many mixed-ability amateur orchestras have played An Alpine Symphonie, or Shostakovich 11, or Elgar 1, or Job, A Masque for Dancing?  And there were exceptional choral performances too – The Creation, Verdi’s Requiem and L’Enfance du Christ. And, as David often pointed out, our concerts were often presented having had less rehearsal time than a professional orchestra would have for an equivalent performance.  David always pushed the boundaries of what was possible, and with great success.

David wasn’t just our conductor and musical director.  He did so much in the background to make everything happen – setting up stages, transporting instruments, visiting potential venues, not to mention studying scores and liaising with soloists.  He held fundraising barbeques and other social gatherings and often provided accommodation for visiting soloists.

We were delighted when David was awarded the MBE for services to music in the 2018 New Year Honours list and he was the Studio Symphony Orchestra’s longest serving conductor when he retired from his position in March 2023.  David was appointed Conductor Emeritus on his retirement as Principal Conductor and he continued to maintain a very close association with the orchestra he had directed and developed so effectively over many decades.

It is impossible to think of the SSO without thinking of David. He was totally committed to the orchestra, and was an inspiration and constant driving force for decades. But above all, he was our very good friend, and we will miss him profoundly. Thank you, David, for everything. We will do our best to honour your memory by building on your remarkable legacy in the years ahead.