David Rey

Biography

Born in 1978 in Valais, Switzerland, David Rey discovered his love for the trombone at the age of 12, joining the village brass band. After earning a degree in socio-economics, he studied under Mr. Roland Schnorhk and later Andrea Bandini at the Geneva Conservatory of Music (HEM). Graduating with honors in 2001, he obtained his master’s degree, followed by the degree as an orchestral musician in 2002 and a pedagogic master in 2003.
 
Recipient of prestigious awards, including those from Ernst Göhner and Irene Dénériaz, David excelled in Swiss competitions, becoming the all-categories champion in the Valais Championship in 1995 and the national trombone champion in 1996. In the same year, he achieved first prize with distinction from the “Jeunesses Musicales” of Switzerland. Internationally, he was a semifinalist at Porcia (IT) in 2000 and won first prize in Riddes (CH) in 2003. Following his apprenticeship with the Biel orchestra (2001-2002), David became a regular participant at the Verbier Festival Orchestra (2002-2007). Holding the position of principal trombone at the Durban orchestra during 2003-2004 (South Africa), he concurrently taught at the University of Natal (RSA). 
 
After an interim at the opera in Malmö (Sweden) in 2006, David Rey served as the solo trombonist of the Brussels Philharmonic from 2008 until 2023, dividing his musical activity between Brussels and Switzerland. 
Collaborating with renowned conductors such as J. Levine, K. Masur, M. Rostropovich, V. Gergiev, Ch. Dutoit, M. Tabachnik, David solidified his reputation as an exceptional orchestral musician. Eager for diverse musical experiences, David frequently performs as a soloist, ranging from piano collaborations to trombone choirs, brass bands, and symphony orchestras. 
 
As a chamber musician, he founded and actively contributes to the “Geneva Brass.” Several composers have dedicated works to him, which he premiered with passion. Open-minded and versatile, he enjoys playing transcriptions of works not originally written for the trombone. David has been a "Bach" Artist since 2014. Dedicating himself to teaching, David imparts his rich professional experience to students of all ages and backgrounds. Sharing his passion since the age of 17, he served as a professor at the HEM von Lausanne in 2012/13 and currently teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels since 2018. David has gained an international reputation as a musical educator through lectures and masterclasses.
 

(Audio file: Pablo de Sarasate I "Zigeunerweisen")