David J. Polain

Having played on his dad’s drum kit from as early as he could sit up on his own, David began trombone lessons at school from the age of thirteen. He successfully auditioned for the position of Second Trombone with the State Opera Orchestra of South Australia in 1982 and later that year auditioned for and attained the position of Second Trombone with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as a full-time casual between 1983 and 1986. David joined the Band of the South Australia Police (SAPOL Band) in 1995 after initially winning an audition on the tuba but also doubling on the tenor and bass trombone. In 1998 he moved to the Bass Trombone position from the Tuba chair. David also arranges music and has written over 250 arrangements for the SAPOL Band as well as many others for orchestra, brass band, and other smaller ensembles. He has also dabbled in a little bit of composition. David is currently the Director of Music with the SAPOL Band, which is a position he has held since July 2017. His interest in conducting saw him undertake external conducting tuition, which included a Master of Music in Performance (Conducting) under Dr Luke Dollman at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide.