The Phoenix Quartet
Meet the Singer: David H. Orcutt
The Phoenix Quartet is dedicated to
...performing music composed or arranged for vocal quartet
...commissioning new music for vocal quartet
...conducting educational outreach.
For repertoire and booking information, please contact Debra Poulter, Artistic Director
Phoenix Quartet
(212) 222-2064 or click here
Vocal music is an especially powerful form of communication that can encourage a better understanding of the struggles and achievements that define people and can develop values that sustain people in life’s experiences. It has a unique power to create community. Throughout its rich cultural history and directly because of its melding of poetry and music, vocal music has had a place in all celebrations of life - to herald new life, mourn the passing of life, mark holidays, and to explore the human condition.
The Phoenix Quartet is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation and donations are tax-deductible as determined by law.
The Phoenix Quartet is proud to be a member of
Chamber Music America
I grew up in Connecticut in a very musical family and started singing very young. My father, mother, two sisters and I sang in the car when travelling – primarily show tunes and church hymns. Legend goes that when I was about 3, with pacifier in mouth, I pulled it out and yelled “Yeah” at the end of the title song from “Oklahoma”. Our family performed at Grange fairs and senior citizen homes under the name “The Happy Wanderers”.
Luckily I moved from boy alto to baritone without too much difficulty when my voice changed. I excelled in high school, being chosen for the elite Greater Hartford Youth Chorale, so my parents were supportive of my desire to go to Ithaca College to study voice. My teacher Leslie Bennett was a huge influence as was Larry Malfatti, my teacher at CCM. Unfortunately both men have now passed on but I know they would be glad to know I am still going strong, as would my father, Robert, a man who had a wonderful natural baritone voice and often let loose while working in the family vegetable garden.
After five years in Pittsburgh with the Pittsburgh Opera Theatre, Mendelssohn Choir and Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, I decided to brave the big city. One of my earliest gigs was not what I expected - as baritone and mezzo in La Gran Scena Opera, a wonderful comic opera troupe comprised totally of men. I love to tell the story of how I practiced walking in high heels by wearing them while vacuuming. Memorable roles included Scarpia, Ramfis, Amneris and a cigarette girl in Carmen - under the names Boris Pistoff, Sherrill Merrill, Dame Ada Lotte Trifle and Jocasta Bundle. I also sang in the Metropolitan Opera Extra Chorus for 10 seasons, not only in Lincoln Center but also in Carnegie Hall and Tokyo, Japan.
My singing now, outside of The Phoenix Quartet, is centered at The Riverside Church where I have been a soloist and choir member for over 10 years. It is a joy that my mother Barbara stills lives in Connecticut and so comes frequently to hear me perform, as have my sisters Judy and Joy (though from further away).
Activities apart from singing are many and varied, including cooking (with a steady supply of cookies coming out of 780 RSD), bowling (as president of MCAANY I have traveled to tournaments in Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago and Sydney, Australia to name a few), volunteering (as a member of the Riverside Sharing Fund and Nominating Committee) and bridge playing. My parties are legendary for lots of good food, friends and fun events such as the Christmas Carol Quiz and Outrageous Earring Competition (at the Holiday party) and Cupcake Decorating and Easter Bonnet Competitions (at the Easter Brunch).
I now share my life with my partner Peter Trippi, a brilliant art historian and editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, so I have my own docent for museum trips and he is being force-fed classical music. Life is good!
Gran Scena Beauty
Peter & David share drinks at the
Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm
A recent gathering with my mother
and sisters in CT
Tim, David, Brian & John
Competition is tough at the annual
Easter brunch
Trying to fill my father’s shoes at an early age
