Mark is primarily an avocational musician, having played the trombone in almost every genre for nearly 50 years. As a writer, he is best known for his arrangements for Brass Quintet which are performed by groups world-wide. He also has written one pop song which you can find two versions of here.

Musical Biography

Vocal:

Mark has been singing in church choirs since he was nine. One of his highlights was perform at the Old North Church in Boston, MA during our nation's Bicentennial celebration. Besides singing, Mark has directed several church choirs. Mark also has a great affection for the Doo-Wop and Rock 'n Roll of the 50's and early 60's, having organized and directed two amateur groups in the past. His first exposure to country music came from his parent's square dance records, which often featured hits from legends such as Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.

Instrumental:

Mark has been playing the trombone for nearly 50 years, beginning when he was nine years old under the tutelage of Max Krulee. At Needham (MA) High School, he participated in the Orchestra, Marching/Concert Band, and Swing Band. He also led The Idyll Society, a highly successful "Tijuana Brass"-style combo, and performed with a "Blood, Sweat, and Tears"/"Chicago"-influenced rock band. While pursuing a degree in Mathematics at Boston's Northeastern University, Mark took many music courses, including Theory I, Harmony and Counterpoint, Composition, and various appreciation classes. He was active in other areas, playing for more than 10 years with the Roy Nutile Big Band and serving 4 years as Principal trombonist of the Wellesly (MA) Symphony Orchestra. He has also been active in theater orchestras, having played in the "pit" for more than 30 amateur productions of Broadway shows. During High School, he met his mentor and greatest musical influence, Mr. William Gibson, Principal trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Gibson introduced Mark to brass chamber music, especially the polyphonic works of Gabrieli, Pezel, Bach, and other Renaissance and Baroque masters. He frequently performed in Gibson-directed brass ensembles over the next 15 years. In 1985, Mark co-founded the Narragansett Bay Brass Ensemble (NBBE), serving also as its director and writing many of the musical arrangements. He continues to be active in theater productions, and has also been a member of the Newport Concert Band and the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble. During a visit to New Orleans, he spent an evening performing with the Bourbon Brass Band at "Maxwell's Toulouse Cabaret" in the French Quarter. He also had the great privilege of meeting the legendary trumpeter, Al Hirt, who invited him to "sit in next time you're in town". Sadly, Mr. Hirt passed away before that could be arranged. Mark is currently the Principal trombonist of the Fall River (MA) Symphony Orchestra

Writing:

In 1992 he formed Bay Brass Publications to publish his arrangements and currently has 17 works in distribution. In 1996 he was accepted for membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) as both a composer and publisher. His works are sold in over 20 countries, have been performed by top-notch musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Opera and elsewhere, and included on four CDs. Here's some of the feedback he's received:
- "I received copies of And the Glory of the Lord, MacArthur Park and Maxwell's Silver Hammer. They look good." - Sandy La Clair, Director - The Madison Brass
- "We have and enjoy several of your pieces, including Ave Verum Corpus, Panis Angelicus, Two Fanfares, and And the Glory of the Lord. Thanks again ... for publishing some very enjoyable music." - Scott Wise, Director - The St. Paul's Brass
- I recently purchased your quintet arrangement of Amazing Grace; when our church quintet performed it, we received a tremendous applause!" - Bob Stemm, Elkhart, IN
- "Your Rule, Britannia! and Airs from the Emerald Isle medleys are sensible and top notch in the eyes of this old trombonist/arranger pro." - Donald Rose, Delray Beach, FL
- "My quintet really enjoys your arrangement of the Quartet from Rigoletto." - William Holmes, trumpet, The San Francisco Opera