The name DAVID BENJAMIN is synonymous with music in Gloucester. He directs concerts, produces concert series, teaches young and adult students, conducts concerts all over the North Shore and generally promotes “Community Music” wherever he goes. He retired in 2012 as the Director of the Elementary and Middle School Bands and the String program in the Gloucester Public Schools; where he administered the staff and recruited the students. He then prepared them for many performances in the community during the school year.

David retired as the business manager for the Cape Ann Symphony in 2016, serving in that capacity for thirty five years. This was some of his most fulfilling work. The orchestra performs four series concerts and one youth concert each year. Mr. B, as he is known, was the “chief cook and bottle washer”, taking care of many of the tasks involved in running the orchestra. He played clarinet in the orchestra as well. Week-ends may find him performing with a variety of different bands through out the North Shore or performing as a soloist in a church service.

David is the Conductor of the North Shore Concert Band. Under his baton, they perform an annual summer series of free outdoor concerts. Concert bands have been a tradition on the North Shore for well over 150 years. Thanks to Dave, that tradition continues.David is also the founder and conductor of the Cape Ann Community Band in Gloucester, Mass.

DAVID BENJAMIN (b 1951) is a clarinetist, conductor, orchestra manager (Ret.) and active community music presenter from Gloucester, Mass. He is equally at home on the symphony concert stage, marching in parades, playing in jazz clubs or playing in church services in and around Cape Ann. David has performed with The Boston Firemen’s Band, the Cape Ann Symphony, The Chalumeau Chamber Ensemble, The Danvers POPS Ensemble, The Golden Echoes Dance Band, The North Shore Concert Band and the Jazz Duo, “Isn’t It Romantic”, with Anthony Weller. For many years David directed and performed with the six-piece “Mr. B’s Band” featuring the Knowlton Sisters.

He began his studies as a youngster in the Gloucester Public Schools. Continued study led him to Holyoke Community College, The Smith College Music Dept., and The University of Mass. at Lowell (BM) and Lesley College (Master of Ed.). He has studied clarinet with Alan Earle, Verne Neimi, John Lyons, William Wrzesian, David Seiler and Anthony Fulginiti. He has studied saxophone with Michael Tucker and Flute with Patricia Darby.

Mr. Benjamin is the retired Director of Instrumental Music for the Gloucester Elementary and Middle Schools. He is the former Business Manager of the Cape Ann Symphony where he served for thirty-five years. He opened the David L. Benjamin Music Studio in 2012. He is also the Conductor and Music Director of the Cape Ann Community Band and the North Shore Concert Band, a professional ensemble. As the Summer Music Director for the City of Gloucester, he presents the annual Antonio Gentile Bandstand concert series. He is also the Business Manager of the Boston Firemen’s Band. “Mr. B”, as he is known in Gloucester, also performs jazz with John Carmilia, John Hicks, Jonathan Jarvis, and Bob Baughman.

Mr. Benjamin’s honors include a Scholarship in his name given annually to a Gloucester High School graduating senior(s) with a performance background. He was the recipient of the 2006 Howard Blackburn Family Supporter of the Year award given by Wellspring-Cape Ann Families. He was also honored with the Universalist Community Recognition Award in 2006. He was honored in 2012 with presentation of The Captain’s Courageous Award given by the Gloucester Education Foundation.

Mr. Benjamin’s volunteer activities include membership on the Stage Fort Park Advisory Committee, a sub-committee of the Gloucester City Council. He is a founder and first President of seARTS, an arts advocacy organization in Gloucester, MA. He is a former Chairman of the Gloucester Horribles Parade Committee and a former Chairman of the Annisquam Village Church Standing Committee. He was also an active T-Ball and B-Ball coach in the Gloucester Little League program for many years.