DAVID GARGARO
conductor, composer, and thinker in San Francisco, CA
Scottish conductor David Gargaro, winner of the 2016 Ansbacher Prize for Conducting, was invited by the Vienna Philharmonic to take up residence at the Salzburg Music Festival. He has held prestigious roles such as Principal Guest Conductor of South Korea’s New Fine Arts Ensemble, Assistant Conductor of Opera Philadelphia, and Orchestra Manager of the New York Youth Symphony. His honors include being a finalist for the American Conducting Prize and semifinalist in the Bruno Walter Conductor Preview. In 2016, he was invited to conduct the BBC Symphony, London Mozart Players, and Hilliard Ensemble.
David has conducted ensembles across the U.S. and abroad, including the Virginia Symphony, New World Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus, Hartford Symphony, Portland Symphony, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Eastman Philharmonia, UCLA Philharmonia, and many others.
He has worked under legendary conductors such as Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Roger Norrington, Michael Tilson Thomas, JoAnn Falletta, Leon Botstein, and Helmuth Rilling. Most recently, he was selected for conducting masterclasses with Sir Neville Marriner at the Aurora Classic Festival and Bernard Haitink at the Lucerne Festival.
Born in Germany and raised in Scotland, David began his musical studies at St. Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. He earned a scholarship to study trumpet and conducting at the Eastman School of Music, followed by a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Bard Conservatory, where he studied under Harold Farberman. He has received numerous scholarships, including from the Dewar Arts Awards, Bagby Foundation, and Hope Scott Trust.
As a trumpeter, he has performed with over 100 ensembles, including the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and the Lowland Band of the Scottish Division. He has also played for Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Palace and performed the American National Anthem in Edinburgh at the invitation of Ambassador Cecile Shea.
David also holds advanced degrees in Global Political Campaign Management from The George Washington University and a Juris Doctor from UC Law San Francisco. His award-winning work in climate and energy policy has led to international speaking engagements. He is currently co-authoring the musical UNLIKELY ALLIES, based on Joel Richard Paul’s bestselling book.