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Mark Ford
Conductor
Re-joined 2008
Mark Ford was born in Melbourne on 29 March, 1962. He commenced playing the cornet at the age of seven. In 1985 he exchanged his instrument for a baton when he was appointed Musical Director of the Greater Bendigo Concert Brass Band, a position he held from 1984-1996. In 1995, the band was the first brass band in Australia to be contracted to release a commercial recording on CD on the Walsingham label, titled "Hot Brass".
In 1996, Mark took on the Principal Conductor position with the Kew Band and with that band won two Australian Championship titles in 1998 & 2000. Kew Band won State Championship titles in three states during the 1996-2000 periods. In 1999, Mark directed the Kew Band on a ground-breaking tour of Japan as guests of the All Japan Brass Band Festival. In 2000, he resigned from Kew Band to direct Moreland-Brunswick Band. This band progressed from D grade in 1996 to its current A Grade status under the leadership of Mark Ford. He returned to Kew Band in 2003 and is currently this band's principal conductor. All three of the above mentioned bands have won Australian National Titles under his direction and in sixty five contest performances since 1985; Mark has guided these bands to no fewer than thirty eight contest wins.
In 2001, Mark accepted an invitation to travel to the Netherlands to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the Euro-Brass Survento contest. Brass Band de Waldsang won the Championship section of this prestigious contest under his baton. His reputation as one of Australia's finest directors of bands was acknowledged in 2001, when he was appointed Principal Conductor of 'Australian Brass' (National Band of Australia) for its 2001 season. Also in 2001, Mark was nominated for the position of Conductor in Australia's Band World Magazine 'Band of the Century'.
Mark is a well-known and respected educator and adjudicator. He has officiated at many competitions and eisteddfods including The Australian National Band Championships in 1998 and The Ern Keller Memorial Solo Event in 2004.
He was a brass teacher in Victorian Schools for 12 years where his last appointment was as Head of Brass and Band studies at Westbourne Grammar School. In 1997 he was lecturer/conductor of brass band at The Victorian College of the Arts. He was lecturer in brass at The University of Melbourne in 1999.
Mark was Assistant Musical Director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993 and was Musical Director of the Queensland State Youth Brass Band in 1998-1999. Mark Ford is also a renowned soloist who has won many Local, State and National Championship titles. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have seen him win major titles on Soprano Cornet, Bb Cornet, Tenor Horn, Baritone and Euphonium.
Current Employment
Mark is currently employed at Wesley College.
Career highlights
- Principal Conductor of Bands 'All Japan Amateur Brass Band Festival' 1999 in Tokyo.
- Guest Professional Conductor Brass Band de Waldsang Buitenpost, Holland, 2001. - Principal Conductor of 'Australian Brass' - 2001 Season.
- National Championship winning performances as Musical Director
- 2000 A Grade - Kew Band
- 1999 B Grade - Brunswick
- 1998 A Grade - Kew Band
- 1998 B Grade - Brunswick
- 1990 B Grade - Strathfieldsaye (Greater Bendigo Concert Brass)
- Eight Commercial Compact Disc recordings
- Improving the performance standard and training of bands through conducting workshops nation-wide including; South Brisbane Federal Band in 1999 (for New Zealand Nationals) and 2000 (for Australian Nationals) and City of Traralgon Band 2003 (for Victorian State Championships).
- Appointments to conduct Victorian State Youth Brass Band 1987 to 1993 and the Queensland State Youth Brass Band for its 1998 & 1999 seasons.
Adjudicating experience
Mark Ford is recognised as one of this country's finest adjudicators. He has traveled throughout the country on many occasions to adjudicate Band and Solo events on National, State and Local levels specializing in major events such as:
- Ern Keller Memorial Solo & Band Contest - Sydney, 2004
- Queensland State Brass Band Championships - Maryborough, 2003
- Tasmanian State Championships - 1995, 1997 & 2003
- Australian National Band Championships - Melbourne 1998
- Prestigious Victorian Open Champion of Champions Concert 1997
- Victorian State Band Championships - Royal South Street Ballarat, 1992 &1993
- Melbourne School Bands' Festival - 1997 & 1998
Through this extensive Australia-wide adjudicating experience, Mark has acquired a thorough knowledge of Australia's top brass players, both in the context of their solo playing skills and their abilities within a band.
Performance highlights
As a soloist, a number of outstanding performance highlights have featured the talents of Mark Ford. In 1980 he was judged National Open Soprano Cornet Champion and in 1984 he was awarded Victorian Open Champion of Champion Soloist. Subsequently, he was invited to perform in the 1984 'Ern Keller' Memorial Solo Contest in Sydney, representing Victoria. However, it has been his conducting prowess which has endeared him to many brass enthusiasts world-wide. His determination, passion and drive for musical excellence was acknowledged by world renowned adjudicator & composer Goff Richards who said "this band would easily match it with the very best of bands in the UK championship section" on conclusion of Kew's performance in the 1998 Australian National Band Championships. Further acknowledgement of his musicianship was qualified by expatriate Prof. David King in 1999 who said "this band equates to a very good vehicle... and the quality musicianship of the driver is superb" after awarding Kew Band's performance of Phillip Wilby's 'Pagannini Variations' 198 points (out of a possible 200). This performance will be remembered for its overwhelming standing ovation in the own choice section of the 1999 Australian National Band Championships.
Education Completed
- Bachelor of Education : Music - The University of Melbourne, 1999
- Certificate IV in Small Business Management - NMIT, 2000Awards
- Victorian Bands' League 35 Years Service Badge of Honour - 2004
- National Band Council 25 Year Service Medal - 1999
- Victorian Bands' League Badge of Merit - 1985
