David Nisbet Stewart

His music is solid in construction, imaginative in concept, and skillful in orchestration.  It appeals to audience and musicians alike.”  -Dr. David Daniels, Music Director Emeritus, Warren Symphony Orchestra

David Nisbet Stewart is a composer, pianist, and organist. His career began in academia and migrated into computer technology from 1979 onward. His style of composing also changed as he pursued a new occupation.

He believes that leaving academia for the business world was a great benefit to his art. Music is the business of entertainment; the composer must satisfy, even delight, the paying audience. His compositions connect with the listener’s ear and heart.

Prior to 1979, he was a college professor of music theory, composition, and electronic music. He taught at Eastern Michigan University and Kent State University. In Ohio, as a member of the Cleveland Composers Guild, he received many performances of his chamber music. He won several awards.

In 1979, Stewart’s career changed to computer systems and consulting. He worked for Stanley Tools, Fanuc Robotics, and Valassis, among others. He has been a church musician most of his adult life and is currently the organist/pianist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale MI. 

His music has had many performances in the United States and abroad. Recordings of his major works are on Navona Records.

Stewart was born 1941, in Miami FL and received a B.Mus. degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1965, and a M.A. degree from Smith College in 1969. He lives with his wife Xina in Huntington Woods MI. Their daughter Sarah is the senior minister at First Unitarian Universalist of Worcester MA, where she lives with her husband Andy and two sons. Their son Andrew is a Chartered Financial Analyst and the Chief Investment Officer and Partner at Exchange Capital Management in Ann Arbor. He lives in Huntington Woods with his wife Nicole and his daughter.