I.D. David Kidwell
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Compiled by Steve Pfarrer

Date published: 1/16/2004

Versatile might be the word that comes to mind when talking about David Kidwell — or perhaps multitalented, or, more specifically, multitalented musician. Kidwell, of Leeds, has worn many musical hats since moving to the Valley in the early 1990s from his native Virginia: music director, composer, accompanist and instructor.

Kidwell plays four instruments, including piano, and has been an organist for church services since he was 12. His current gigs include serving as music minister of Northampton's Edwards Church and conductor of the Holyoke Civic Symphony. In addition, he's a published composer who premiered his first big orchestral piece, Shenandoah: A Symphonic Portrait, in 2002 with the Holyoke Symphony. He'll be conducting the symphony in Virginia in March.

Over the years, Kidwell has also directed or conducted the music for dozens of performances by community and semiprofessional groups like the Valley Light Opera. But sometimes he has to unwind, he says: "I can't bear to listen to serious music when driving to and from rehearsals or performances. I prefer KISS-FM or sports/talk call-in shows."

Full name: Kenneth David Kidwell

Nickname: None, especially not Dave

Date and place of birth: June 22, 1968, Richmond, Va.

Address: Leeds

Job: Musician

Marital status: Married to Jacqueline Haney Kidwell

Children: None

Educational background: Caroline High School, Milford, Va., 1985; Mary Washington College, B.A. in music, 1989; Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, M.A. in music composition, 1991

Pets: Two cats, Patches and Misha

What words come to mind when you look in the mirror? Can I get by without trimming my beard today?

Favorite book: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

Favorite movie: Amadeus

Favorite television show: Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Favorite song: Not exactly a song, but Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland

Hobbies: Hiking, bicycling, chess, photography, model railroading, the Civil War

Formative experience: My father's disability, starting when I was 13

Funniest memory from school: Trying to write a Monopoly program in BASIC on my school's TRS-80 computer

What's the strangest job you ever held? Researching real estate titles for a lawyer — I had no idea what I was doing.

Favorite comfort food: Pizza

When you want to get away from it all, where do you go? To bed, or to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

Favorite way to splurge: Buying books or electronic gadgets

Favorite item of clothing you own: Slippers from L.L. Bean

Best present you've ever received: It sounds corny, but the gift of music

One little-known fact about you: I graduated from high school in three years

What was your most irrational act? Moving 500 miles away from my family

Secret fantasy: To be the conductor of a major symphony orchestra

One product, trend or fashion you'd like to see return: Aside from the Red Sox winning trend between 1903 and 1918, I'd like to see the return of personal accountability

Achievement of which you are most proud: Making a living as a musician

Pet peeves: Bad grammar and bad drivers

Favorite way to blow off steam: Take a walk or score a baseball game

Most valuable lesson you've learned so far: Perfection is not only overrated, it's impossible to achieve

Person you'd give the most to meet: Leonard Bernstein

One thing you do better than anyone else: Get quality music out of amateur musicians

What gives you the creeps? Two movies - The Wizard of Oz and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Worst advice your mother ever gave you: Get a minor in business administration so you'll have something to fall back on in case music doesn't work out

Most embarrassing moment: Starting the doxology on the organ, at full volume, at the wrong point in the worship service — and on Easter Sunday, no less!

One thing you would change about yourself: I wouldn't stress out as easily

People who knew you in high school thought you were: Shy and smart

Personal strengths: Imagination, dedication, people skills in rehearsal

Personal weaknesses: Passivity, temper, people skills outside of rehearsal

Whom do you most admire? My father, for his courage and perseverance in the face of a life-altering disability.

Reproduced by permission. Copyright 2004 by The Daily Hampshire Gazette