Dave Reddish
Trumpet
Featured
Feb, 2019
Dave started playing in 5th grade in Evergreen, his hometown. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Western State, he’s lived in Gunnison, Delta, or Montrose since his undergrad years. During his teaching career, he taught band, choir, elementary music, math, science, reading, and computer technology.
“In 1981 I went off to become an officer and a gentleman (well, officer anyway) at Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), where I played in the base band.” After completing AOCS, he served as a USNR Flight Officer. “The Navy taught me that I was a pretty good public school teacher, so upon getting an early release from active duty, I returned to teaching band and got certified in elementary education and ended up teaching math and science Columbine Middle School. This was a time that I didn’t open a trumpet case for about 10 years.”
“As I neared retirement, I decided to start playing again, and joined the Montrose Community Band off and on for a couple of years.”
“My first go around with the VSO (as we were called back then) from 1978-1980 when I was a DHS band teacher working in the same room where the symphony now rehearses. (Boy, has this group gotten better since then!) It was a phone call from Jake (Johnson) who needed a fill-in since he had a hot prom date during one of the concerts. That was my re-introduction to the VSA.” He’s been with the symphony since. “I enjoy the music we play, as well as the camaraderie of fellow musicians. Most of all, I enjoy being challenged but not overwhelmed by the music Mike selects for us.”
Dave’s sense of humor is on par with his creativity and dedication to causes and people. “As a high school band teacher, you spend much of your time fund-raising. One event found me along with several of my DHS students atop the lunchmeat cooler at the old Delta City Market playing Christmas carols. We earned $20.”
Dave has also performed with the Western State Colorado University British Brass Band, Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band (Silverton), and the Lake City Stinger Band. He currently works in security as lead patrol officer at Arrowhead. “I enjoy art, photography, and spending time at our cabin with my wife, Carolyn, and faithful dog, Oscar.”