A native of New Jersey, David began trombone lessons in 6th grade, and was a member of the concert and jazz bands at Toms River Intermediate School. The Fritz family moved to Florida when David began high school, and David played trombone at Coconut Creek High School for 9th grade, and finished at Forest High School, in Ocala. He practiced during the school day on the same stage we are playing on today!

After graduating in 1976, David went to the University Of Florida, playing in the Fightin’ Gator Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, the UF Jazz Band, the Faculty Sinfonietta, as well as various small ensembles. There was even a Chicago style rock band for a time.

Graduating with a Bachelor’s Of Music Education degree in 1981, David was one signature away from joining the Marine Band program, when he interviewed for, and was accepted, the job of band director at his high school alma mater, Forest High. That lead to band and choral jobs at Hawthorne Jr-Sr High School, Lake Weir High School, and middle school band at Dunnellon Middle, and Fort King Middle School, where he was honored at Teacher Of The Year twice. He retired from teaching after serving for 37 years.

David has played trombone in many groups in the Ocala area, including The Original Log Cabin Dixieland Jazz Band, the Cary Hays Orchestra, the Paul Luciano Orchestra, the Southern Express Big Band, the SILVERband, the concert and jazz bands at the College of Central Florida, the Ocala Civic Theatre, the KOS Brass Quintet, and of course, the Kingdom Of The Sun Concert Band. He also plays bass guitar in his church worship band, and has played in a rock band formed of teachers and parents while at Ft King MS. He also enjoys doing voice announcing for various band events in the Central Florida area.

David married his high school sweetheart, Donna Wooten, in 1984 (they met in band where Donna played bass drum!), and they have 5 adult children, Cutler, Brady, (married to Ali), Jacob, Kasey (engaged to Chevy), and Rachel, (married to Henk), and now four grandchildren - Ashton, age 10, Samuel, age 4, Eliza, age 2, and Shiloh, age 1.

David has been playing trombone in the KOS Concert Band for almost 6 years, and has enjoyed the opportunity to be a guest conductor numerous times as well. He is much appreciative of the caliber of musician up on the stage and says, “The band responds so well to the baton, and they play so musically. It is fun, and a great honor, to stand in front of such a wonderful group of people.”