David Hicken
David Hicken is an internationally acclaimed composer, pianist, and organist whose musical journey spans continents, genres, and generations. Born in England into a musical family, he began piano lessons at the age of three with his mother, a piano teacher. By the age of twelve, he had earned a distinction in Grade 8 piano from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and went on to achieve similar honours in organ, clarinet, and music theory by sixteen.
His formative years were immersed in rich musical traditions. At school, he performed in musicals, and operas, sang with a touring chapel choir, and played clarinet in the school orchestra. He was a three-time award winner at the Oundle International Organ Festival, a laureate of the Huddersfield Organ Festival, and received a major music scholarship to the prestigious Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. There, he appeared as soloist in a Handel Organ Concerto with the Oxford Symphony Orchestra.
David studied with the esteemed Nicholas Danby at the Royal College of Music before relocating to the United States at age seventeen to continue his education at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. His concert appearances include prestigious venues such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral in London, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and cathedrals in Chester and Newcastle.
His early fascination with electronic music led to the release of his first CD, The Final Toccata, at just nineteen, followed by The Shadow of Youth. His organ recordings Symphony Gothique and A Christmas Pastorale, recorded at Loyola Marymount University, earned acclaim and a contract with Laserlight Records. He later performed organ concertos with the Westchester Symphony Orchestra and held prominent church positions, including Organist and Choir Director at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, known for hosting Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding and Frank Sinatra’s funeral.
In addition to concertising and composing, David taught piano to celebrities and their families in Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades. Eventually seeking a slower pace, he left the busy life behind and pursued another passion: scuba diving. He became a Master Instructor and lived in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Hawaii.
While in Hawaii, David began composing serene and melodic piano music. His albums Goddess, Angels, and Faeries were met with widespread appreciation for their soothing, healing qualities. He founded a successful music school, mentored hundreds of students, and continued to compose and perform. A video of his arrangement of Carol of the Bells reignited demand for his teaching and performing, leading to a new chapter in his musical career.
After a decade in Hawaii and time spent in California and Florida, David accepted invitations to perform in Russia - including Siberia, before settling in Thailand, where he now resides. He has released numerous solo piano albums and established a successful YouTube channel with fifty million views worldwide.
In addition to his solo work, David has authored music tutorial books and composed organ and choral works. His choral music has been performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Canterbury Cathedral, and the Vatican in Rome. He continues to compose and inspire through his music, connecting with audiences across the globe.