logo
 
 
 

Biography

'A Wonderful Musician dedicated to musical excellence'
Bramwell Tovey.

'A Stellar Player'
Howard Snell.

'Dependable, Flexible and a great player'
Allan Withington.

'A performer of genuine class who leads by example'
Michael Fowles.

These are just a few quotes to describe Mark who is regarded as one of the leading cornet players of his generation.

Mark started playing the cornet aged 6 with his local band Ellenbrook and Boothstown before moving to the Walkden Band and then Besses Boys aged 13 where he stayed for 5 years on Principal Cornet. During this time Mark was also appointed Principal Cornet with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.' When he was 18 Mark joined the Wingates Band on Principal Cornet for 2 years before accepting Howard Snells offer to join the Britannia Building Society Band (now Foden's) on Principal Cornet in 1992. During this time he has been privileged to have won every major contest with Foden's including the British Open, National Finals, European Championships, Swiss, French and American Opens as well as numerous victories at the All England Masters Contest, Area Contest and Brass in Concert entertainment competitions. In 2013 Mark was appointed the Band Manager of Foden's.

As well as performing in France, America, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland as a soloist Mark is also heavily involved in Youth education. Mark enjoyed 3 years as the cornet tutor with the 'National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain' and has been an entrance examiner and cornet tutor with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain' since 2000. Mark has also appeared as a cornet tutor with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Wales' 'National Youth Band of Switzerland' as well as a guest soloist with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Denmark.'

As well as being a founder member of the 'Northern Ireland Armagh Summer School' Mark is in demand on various summer schools in this country and abroad and is currently the cornet tutor / musical director on the 'Bolsover Summer School.'

In 2010 Mark was appointed as 'Visiting Cornet Tutor' at the Royal Northern College of Music, Cornet Tutor at the 'University of Salford' and Cornet/Trumpet Tutor at 'Manchester Metropolitan University.'

Mark is in demand in this country and abroad as a cornet soloist, teacher, conductor, clinician and adjudicator (he is a fully credited member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators) as well as having a number of solo recordings to his name.

In 2009 Mark was voted by the banding public as the '2009 4barsrest Player of the Year'

In May 2013 Mark released his first solo cd 'Milestone.'