David Paul Gibson

This fund was established in 2011 to honor Mr. David Paul Gibson. This action recognizes Mr. Gibson for his many contributions to the area of music and demonstrates his belief in the importance of education. Recipients of the fund must be music majors with an emphasis in voice.

Mr. David Paul Gibson was born March 3, 1953 in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Gibson graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music, and then again in 1981 with a Master of Music degree. As a student, he was a member of the WKU Choir and Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. He also directed Dido and Aeneas, Heloise and Abelard, and The Old Maid and the Thief as a student; and composed, staged and conducted his first opera, Antony and Cleopatra.

Mr. Gibson pursued a career in music after graduating from WKU. He has served as the Director of Liturgical Life at St. Barnabas Parish, Coordinator of Music at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, and Minister of Music at The Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green. David has also served as an instructor in the WKU Music Department and is on the Board of Directors for the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra. He has been an operatic performer, orchestra conductor, and composer. David has directed and conducted 90 productions of operas, musical theater and drama, ranging from LaBoheme to a Tennessee Williams Festival. He is currently working on his fourth opera, Rappaccini’s Daughter. David was also the founder and first conductor of the Southern Kentucky Opera Guild and the Bowling Green Community Chorus.

David was inducted into the WKU Music Wall of Fame in 2010, and he is a member of the WKU Cupola Society, recognizing his loyal consecutive giving to his alma mater.