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23:54 PM

Europe/Amsterdam

One more time_final concert in Richardson Performance Hall_David Irving.jpg

Irving earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the world-renowned music program at North Texas State University in Denton (now the University of North Texas). Before joining the DMC Music faculty in 1972, he worked as a high school band director. After 45 years, the beloved educator retired in 2017 and was bestowed the “Professor Emeritus” designation in 2018.

A jazz lover since his high school days, Irving was considered an authority on jazz in the Coastal Bend. He was an ardent supporter of the Texas Jazz Festival, which was initiated in 1959 from a group of students who gathered to play jazz in Del Mar College’s Harvin Student Center.

Irving was probably most known for teaching jazz studies and directing the MWF Jazz Band at DMC. Annual performances that were part of the Jazz Guest Artist Concert Series that he organized were always highly-anticipated events that brought notable jazz artists to play with the MWF Jazz Band, along with conducting masterclasses. Artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ed Shaughnessy, Lee Konitz, Tom Braxton and “Blue” Lou Marini accepted Irving’s invitations over the years, some more than once.

Irving also had a special affection for the Corpus Christi Municipal Band, a community pops ensemble that has played outdoor summer concerts in Corpus Christi since 1952. He spent many years as a musician with the Band and was drafted into numerous other roles. After several moves to different venues over the years, the band now performs its summer concerts at the amphitheater on the College’s Heritage Campus, a move at the time that made Irving a natural choice to serve as band manager and act as emcee. Irving’s dry wit and affinity for corny jokes made him a favorite with audiences. Even the most groan-worthy jokes were made genuinely funny thanks to his sly, knowing delivery.

Late Professor Emeritus of Music David Irving_Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Award

Irving’s affections also extended to his association with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national fraternal society for music. He became a Sinfonian in 1960 while at North Texas and served as advisor to Del Mar College’s chapter beginning in 1977; and in 2015, Phi Mu Alpha bestowed to Irving the Robert J. Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award. Irving cited Rogers, who was a pianist and professor at North Texas who died in 2013, as his mentor during the DMC educator’s time at the university.  

Irving’s teaching, music performances and learning opportunities inspired many students to complete music degrees and become music educators as well. Many more students became members of music ensembles and continued their learning and appreciation of various music genres.