After commencing his career as a cornet player with the Askern Colliery Band, David became a member of the Carlton Main Frickley Band.   From Carlton Main he joined Munn and Feltons Band, later known as the Gus Footwear Band, in due course becoming their Principle Solo Cornet Player.  During his time with them the band won four National Championships and a World Championship at the Royal Albert Hall.

In fact David has played in the Championship Section of the National Finals on an incredible 26 occasions (twenty-one consecutively).  He was the Assistant Principle Solo Cornet Player of the Virtuosi Band of Great Britain, and is currently a member of the Kings of Brass.  Three times Champion Cornet Player of Great Britain, and once outright Solo Champion, David has ensured his place as one of Britain's best cornet players.

David concentrated his efforts on teaching and was for many years the Senior Instrumental Teacher for the Cambridge Area Education Authority. He conducted the then Cambridge Co-operative Band for nearly fifteen years, having considerable success. These include broadcasting regularly on BBC Radio2 and Radio3, taking the band to the Championship Section Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and Championship Section Finals at Pontins Brass Band Festival, winning the Southern Counties Championship in Folkestone and appearing on BBC Television 'Best of Brass' series.

David is one of the most experienced adjudicators in Great Britain and as such he is invited to adjudicate at all the major band contests and festivals throughout Europe. In 1983 he was honoured by the Worshipful Company of Musicians who presented him the Isle's medal in recognition of his outstanding services to Brass Bands and in 1986 he received the English Master's Dedicated Service Award.

David is on the Executive of the recently formed Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.