Born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1950, David Mullikin holds degrees in music performance from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Michigan. He has been a member of the Colorado Symphony since 1973. Mr. Mullikin is very active in the Symphony’s Education Department, both as performer and composer. Perhaps his most distinctive creations are the story-pieces for small ensembles with story-teller. These widely performed compositions include The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Emperor And The Nightingale, The Tortoise and The Hare, and Tunji and The Giant.

Mr. Mullikin has also enjoyed a close relationship with the Up Close And Musical string ensemble, a Colorado-based organization which presents outreach programs in schools. Pieces written for this group include Overture for Strings, Arabesque for Bassoon and Strings, Anasazi Twilight, Arlecchino’s Waltz, Colonel Fairweather’s March and The Brementown Musicians.

David Mullikin enjoys opportunities to create music that fills a special need. For example, in response to requests for “curriculum based” programs, he has produced Mathnotes (based on fourth-grade math standards) and The Music of Life (about the life sciences). These programs have been presented with great success to thousands of school children.

From 1991 to 2002 Mr. Mullikin was the cellist in the Ariel Trio, ensemble-in-residence at Metropolitan State College in Denver. The encouragement of the other members of the trio (pianist Susan Cable and violinist Tamara Fahlman Mullikin) led to the composition of two major works for piano trio, and a third work for soprano with trio, Voice of the River Han. Metropolitan State College faculty member (and distinguished soprano) Mee-Ae Nam has performed River Han several times in recital, including a special performance in 2002 at the Music Teachers National Association Convention in Cincinnati.

In November, 1999, Colorado Symphony Principal Oboist Peter Cooper premiered Mr. Mullikin’s Oboe Concerto with the Colorado Symphony. This work was featured on a 2002 recording on the Summit Label, by Mr. Cooper and the Academy of Saint Martin In The Fields, conducted by Neville Mariner. Mr. Mullikin’s music was also performed at the 2001 Convention of the Double Reed Society. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Bassoonist James Rodgers premiered the Kasselberg Suite, a five movement work in the baroque style, for bassoon, contrabassoon and string orchestra.