Finding Providence in Practice

BY JENNIFER JONES; PHOTOS BY LOU COLUMBUS

I met David Stringer while looking to hire a classical guitarist for an event honoring past Bay Arts Alliance board members. David was one of the recommended players. He was a senior at Bay High School in Panama City and was very quiet, terribly agreeable, and extremely talented . What luck to have found the kind of player we needed. Little did I know what kind of person I had met.

I would learn David’s back story later and how music and a few individuals who took great interest in his talent would change his life. Today, several years later, David is blazing his trail toward what promises to be a brilliant career as a classical guitarist.

David Stringer will graduate from Florida State University in May with a Master of Music Degree and has been accepted into the Doctor of Music program in string performance.

In my time as a music student at FSU, I quickly determined that the bottom floor of the Kuersteiner building was the best place on campus. With its brick walls, access to worldrenowned instructors, concert halls, and recital rooms, it draws music students from near and far who strive for excellence. It is the place where David feels at home.

David’s favorite piece he is currently working on is Tarantella by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He also suggests Luigi Legnani Caprice No. 7, Manuel Ponce Concierto del Sur & Isaac Albeniz: Granada, Torre Bermeja, Mallorca, and Asturias. This is all accessible through your choice of online music sources (until you may attend one of David’s concerts).

Although he is still very soft spoken, David is not the same shy person I met so many years ago. His mind is driven and his hands are on fire. The virtuosity of skill and intense and passionate attention to playing music is overwhelming and awe inspiring. He is an example of how music, a passion for your goals, and devoted mentors can change our world or help us create a new one we never knew existed… sometimes literally in our very hands.

At 15, David Stringer moved to Bay County from Rockmart, Georgia with his father, who died of a heart attack shortly after relocating here. Standing out at his new school was, understandably, not his main concern, but a phone call from one of his teachers at his middle school in Georgia marked a positive turning point for David . The teacher called to tell the Bay High staff to look for David – that he was gifted . Bay High teachers and others took a special interest in him and David’s achievements since then are remarkable.

For our interview, I met with David and the lady whom he credits as one of his greatest influences, Kay Daniel, the homeless liaison for Bay District schools. He was one of her students and she always checked in, made sure he was going to class, and talked about life after high school since his father passed. “She has been pushing me to do well in college.“ David says.

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 “David has worked seriously and intensively throughout the years. He is a talented guitar player and has acquired a solid technical background, and expressive abilities. His playing reflects a unique musical freedom that one does not often hear. His desire to continue breaking new challenges, and his human integrity make me feel certain that he will establish himself as a great guitarist in the United States.” – João Paulo Figueirôa, phD, Director of Guitar Studies at The Catholic University of America

“David possesses a love for performing as well as the confidence and musicianship to excel as an exceptional concert artist. He has a gorgeous tone, meticulous attention to detail and discipline. In addition to his artistic expressiveness and distinguished academic record, David is a wonderful human being who lives his life with integrity and sincerity. I look forward to seeing what his bright future holds for him.” – Dr. Stephen Robinson, Professor of Music, Stetson University

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PCL: Was music and escape or a pursuit?

David: It was a pursuit . I wanted to be really good at playing and making music. I always wanted to play music growing up . I never thought it would be something that I would go to school for.

PCL: What does performing live do for/to you?

David: Performing live, for me, is like sharing your mind/soul. It can be very intense. When sharing something like that, you want it to be your best.

PCL: Which schools have you attended since high school and how did you choose them?

David: I wanted to study with good teachers and, after doing some research, I learned that we have a couple of the best guitar programs in Florida. Dr. Stephen Robinson, at Stetson University, was admired by the great and important guitarist Andres Segovia, and, Professor Bruce Holzman (Florida State University) taught Dr . Robinson. I earned the Bachelor of Music at Stetson.

Professor Bruce Holzman has earned several lifetime achievement awards. He is the maestro of classical guitar teachers. I was very honored to be accepted into his program.

PCL: What was the thing that clicked, the turning point that made you pursue a career in music?

David: When I attended Gulf Coast State College, I had to go to Tallahassee for my guitar lessons from Joao Paulo Figueiroa. He was my first formal classical guitar teacher. Joao pushed me and instilled in me the perseverance it takes to really master an instrument. He groomed me for applying at Stetson. Getting accepted there was a really big boost and inspiration to keep pursuing music. Dr . Stephen Robinson at Stetson is an amazing teacher and performer. And, now that I am studying with Bruce Holzman at FSU; that is another really big inspiration to keep trying my best.

Kay: Once when David was still at Gulf Coast and he had a particularly demanding week from his college classes (English paper due, and something in math) I asked Joao, “If David could not practice four hours every day this upcoming week due to the demands of this other classes, what should his priorities be when he can practice?” In is very broken English, Joao responded “He should quit.” I said “Pardon me?” He said, “He should quit, if he does not make time for guitar, then he should quit.” Joao had a way of putting things in perspective!

PCL: What does music do for you?

David: Music is always going on in my head. I am usually singing, whistling, and humming when I am driving, cooking, or working. It just seems obligatory. I can’t explain why it is so important . I like that it makes me think. It keeps my mind active, as well as creative.

PCL: What do you do for music?

David: I bring music to people as much as I can . I’m constantly looking for a chance to perform . I also give lessons from time to time and enjoy seeing pupils think about music and technique, and learning something new from me .

PCL: What are your aspirations after earning a doctorate in guitar performance?

David: I want to study music. I want to learn how master performers do what they do. I would love to have a career both teaching and performing.

PCL: What do you think that your time behind the closed door practicing has done for you beyond the obvious?

David: It has caused me to think about what I am doing, and what others have done, and question phrasing and technique. Even when I try every different fingering I can think of, I will look at the fingering I find to be the best and compare it with what someone else has done. I will then look at what’s different about my way compared to theirs. Obviously you improve when practicing, but what you do to improve is also important. I like to think during practice . And, lately I have brought this focus to other activities.

PCL: What is the greatest difficulty that challenges you today?

David: Managing time is always a great challenge. You have to gauge when your mind is most active and try to do the most intense work at that part of the day, but then something might come up and interfere with your work. It’s always been a challenge to get great practice in at the best part of the day.

PCL: What would you tell your younger self if you could go back?

David: Be more involved with the musical community, attended summer music camps, and festivals.

 

[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2014/07/Jennifer-Jones.jpg” ]At the pulse of the local music and arts is Jennifer Jones. She majored at Florida State University in music with minor studies in literature. Her career included working as marketing director of the Bay Arts Alliance. She quickly advanced to the position of Executive Director. Bay Arts Alliance has served as Bay County’s arts agency since 1978 and has brought many national acts to Bay County residents. Jennifer enjoys the uniqueness of Bay County and is proud to witness the growth of the cultural community. Jennifer is also a solo and back-up vocalist, charter member of the Ukulele Orchestra of St Andrews, and avid ukulele player, binge reader and shoe shopper. She is the proud and amused mother of Maggie, who has discovered a love of theater at Mosley High School. [/author]