Kingswood Oxford wishes farewell to KO music teacher David Zucker with a heavy heart.
When Mr. Zucker arrived on the KO scene in 2019, he already had a lifetime’s worth of experience under his belt. Exposed to music since essentially an infant, he was fascinated with music, studying music abroad in India, experimenting in different bands throughout the ‘90s, composing tracks for television, and even working at Camp KO since 2014. Mr. Zucker has gone through many steps in his musical career, and his worthwhile time at KO is another of those steps.
Whether it be teachers or students, many people commemorate Mr. Zucker’s time here. “The thing I remember about Mr. Zucker is his spontaneity, his energy, and his ability to pivot and run with an idea,” KO band director Todd Millen said. “I think that’s one of his more endearing qualities.”
He found that Mr. Zucker was great at connecting with students right from the start, forming worthwhile relationships with many. He also pointed out how fascinating his performances were, notably, the engaging fall performances of the Rock and Blues Band over the past two years in 2022 and 2023. “It was what he was able to put together with [the band], and that infectious ‘Let’s try something new, it’s cool!’ where everybody tried something new, and it was cool,” he said. When asked about what he was going to miss when Mr. Zucker leaves, he emphasized his smile, his energy, and “that can-do ‘let’s do it!’”
The ability to get people to try different songs, experiments, or ideas and introduce the unexpected was something that Mr. Zucker did which influenced his students. Sophomore Dominic Brunalli spoke about his time in Mr. Zucker’s Electronic Music class in Form 1, Form 2, and this past year. “I really enjoyed the freedom of his class,” he said. “He gave you a genre or idea and then said ‘Go make your own music!’… It was really cool.” He especially liked it when he produced music videos over songs he made in class.
I also fondly remember Mr. Zucker. For me, he was always someone who had a new and unexpected idea up his sleeve. From my time in the 2022 Rock and Blues Band, I remember how enthusiastic Mr. Zucker was in letting me try new instruments and songs and getting me out of my comfort zone. He has influenced the way I approach music.
Mr. Zucker additionally reflected on his influence on KO and vice versa. “I think I inspired a bunch of people and brought a bunch of energy,” he said. “I brought some spunk.” He also learned how to manage a classroom and a music ensemble better. There were numerous other opportunities he involved himself in as well. On top of the Rock and Blues Band and Electronic Music classes, he performed as a part of the 50th Anniversary Retrospective Concert of Roberts Theater, and in the fall season play, “Hyperfocus” in 2022, playing a custom-composed rock rendition of a song under the same name.
As for what will happen next, Mr. Zucker has some ideas. These include performing more in bands and solo, teaching music more outside of KO, and delving into music therapy, a medium in which sounds and music are used to trigger certain parts of the brain, treating issues like dementia.
The KO community wishes him the best as he continues forward in his ventures, wherever they may go.
