In July 1999 he received his doctorate from Exeter University; his thesis addresses the context and criticism of early Tudor church music. Educated at St. Peter's College, Oxford, he was a choral scholar whilst reading for a music degree, and obtained his Master's degree with distiction at Durham University in 1994.

David has sung and recorded with choirs including Schola Cantorum of Oxford, A capella Portuguesa and The Cambridge Taverner Choir. At present he is an Editorial Assistant at The Grove Dictionary of Music in London. His spare time is divided between research activity and freelance singing and conducting work.