David Milne, retired musical director (d.2024)

David Milne

The Guinness Choir is deeply saddened to learn that David Milne, our former Music Director for 31 years, has died recently following a long illness. The choir has wonderful memories of many marvellous concerts under his excellent guidance. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family. May he Rest in Peace.

David Milne lived in Co. Cork and was formerly the Head of Music at Kilkenny College. He has been the Musical Director of the Guinness Choir since February 1991, and was the former conductor of the University of Dublin Choral Society and the Gaudete Singers. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he was the first Organ Scholar, he directed the Chapel Choir and the College Singers as a student. David has enjoyed a long association with the choral repertoire, particularly through his work with the Camerata Singers and St Bartholomew’s Church Choir. He has also worked with the RTE Singers and Chorus and with Musica Sacra, and was the founder-director of the West Dublin Youth Orchestra.

He has conducted notable performances of works by Machaut (Messe de Notre Dame), Tallis (Spem in Alium), Bach (B Minor Mass, St Matthew Passion, St John Passion, Christmas Oratorio, motets and cantatas), Handel (Messiah,anthems), Haydn (Creation, masses), Mozart (Requiem), Beethoven (Mass in C), Berlioz (Messe Solonnelle), Mendelssohn (St Paul, Elijah), Brahms (German Requiem), Verdi (Requiem), Fauré (Requiem), Elgar (Dream of Gerontius, The Apostles), Howells (Requiem, Canticles), Britten (A Boy Was Born, War Requiem, Spring Symphony, Canticles, Noyes Fludde), Sweeney (Mass), Edmondson (A Éin Bhig, Cantus Columbae), Wilson (Christmas Cantata), Boydell (Under No Circumstances), Pärt (Passio) and Adams (Harmonium).

David Milne was a regular broadcaster on radio and television, and was also in demand as an adjudicator at music festivals throughout the country. He played piano, harpsichord and organ, and appeared regularly on the concert stage as soloist, accompanist and continuo player.

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