David Clifton

David Clifton in front of Wycliffe Hall sign
Artist in Residence

Cert.Ed. (Chichester) B.Ed. (Sussex) Cert.Th.St. (Oxon)

 

David is a musician, potter and painter. His role as Artist in Residence encompasses several areas of our community life at Wycliffe Hall, including organising our college choir and assisting with the Chapel music programme, curating termly art exhibitions, arranging our contribution to Oxfordshire Artweeks and running workshops.

David previously served as Director of Music at St Paul’s Onslow Square, London, and Worship Music Leader at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, and also Director of Music for the three churches of London’s Tollington Parish before his appointment as Director of Music and Arts at Apostles, Knoxville, Tennessee USA. He has led the music for numerous conferences worldwide, spoken on the theology, history and practicalities of worship music and contributed to training events and workshops across the globe.

Prior to his career in music, David taught Special Education. He was signed to Virgin Records, and over the years has worked with some of the UK and Ireland’s finest songwriters, contributing to many recordings and tours by British, Irish and USA musicians.

Classes Taught

  • Choosing Music for Worship Services
  • The Theology, Model and Practice of Worship Music

Workshops

  • Beginners Watercolour Workshop
  • Introduction to Pottery Techniques
  • Song and hymn writing

Music Releases and Music Publications

(Little Room Recordings Ltd, IQ Music Ltd)

  • 2025 The Tree In The Wood. Folk Songs (with Charlotte Smith)
  • 2020 Marble City Skyline. (LRMCD18)
  • 2019 Fruit of the Spirit. (Meditations for Piano and string quintet) (LRMCDV15)
  • 2018 The King of Love: Hymns old and New (EP) (LRMCD12)
  • 2018 The Unintended Consequences of Architecture. (Ambient) (LRMCD14))          
  • 2014 The New Born King. Christmas Truce 1914. (LRMDD09)
  • 2012 The Old Sea Road (LRMCD08)
  • 2007 Seeds of Hope and Love (LRMCD07)
  • 2002 Christmas Carols and Songs (with IKOS & Peterborough Cathedral choirs)      
  • 1999 I Am the Great Sun (Worship Together Songbook. Kingsway Publications.)
  • 1996 God Is our Refuge (Spring Harvest Songbook ICC ISBN 1899788115)
  • 1996 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (with Andy Piercy) (LRMCD02)
  • 1994 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (with Andy Piercy) (LRMCD01)

Selected Music Collaborations and Publications

  • 2018 Improvisational Duets for Guitars (with George Middlebrooks. LRMCD13)
  • 2018 Father of my Soul (with Phil Keaggy. LRMDD10)
  • 2008 Flight (with Mr Don/Little Room Ltd. LRMDD)
  • 2005 Pulse (with Mr Don/Little Room Ltd. LRMDD)
  • 2001 I Am the Great Sun: Celtic Compilation (Integrity/Provident LRMCD03)
  • 2000 Road to the City (Gold Records GRCD006)
  • 2000 Still Small Voice (Integrity/Provident GRCD004C)
  • 1999 Shipwrecks and Islands (Integrity/Provident GRCD003)
  • 1998 The Source. (Mayhew Publications. ISBN 1840031201
  • 1998 Liturgy of Time (Word Music. WMD003)
  • 1997 City of Gold (Integrity/Provident GRCD001)
  • 1996 Spring Harvest Songbook. (ICC Publications ISBN 1899788115)
  • 1994 Spring Harvest Songbook. (ICC Publications ISBN 0951730886)
  • 1987 Two Way Radio (Virgin VS813)
  • 1986 Right and Wrong (Virgin VS792)

Project Updates - Spring 2025

David writes:

''I am in the process of completing three recordings. The first features sacred texts set to new music, primarily written for use in modern church services. It includes new settings of The Beatitudes, the Sanctus and Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Gloria, Trisagion and an adaptation of The Apostles Creed. I was recently commissioned by Professor Michelle Brown to set two poems by the Venerable Bede to music for the launch of her book ‘Bede and the Theory of Everything’ and have recorded these with string quartet for inclusion on this release. I hope to have the project completed later in the year.

The second project is a recording of modern songs written and co-written at home and abroad over the years that also features my new arrangement of a traditional folk song ‘The Old Churchyard’ made popular in the USA by Almedia Riddle and believed to have originated in Norfolk. The third project, due for release in early summer, features Charlotte Smith singing some of our most popular of our English folk songs, with a beautiful Irish song included for good measure. It has been a joy to produce.

Paintings, drawings, Iconography and pottery work continue, though I need to heed my own advice; ‘don’t neglect your creative gifts or put them at the bottom of your ‘to do’ list. These are the very things that inspire, enliven and inspire you!’

Additionally I continue with my interest in researching spirituality (primarily Christocentric) expressed in folk, pop, rock and alternative music. This is evident in many genres, ranging from early Queen, Black Sabbath, Strawbs, Alison Krauss, Judee Sill, Lenny Kravitz and U2, through to John Coltrane, David Bowie, Chance the Rapper, Stormzy, Depeche Mode, Mick Jagger, Coldplay and Nick Cave. Their creativity has inspired millions of people around the world. Someday I’ll write the book!''