Mark Ford
Conductor
Re-joined 2008
Mark Ford
Conductor
Re-joined 2008
Mark Ford was born in Melbourne in 1962. His illustrious conducting career commenced in 1984 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. From 1996 ~ 2003 he also directed the Moreland-Brunswick Band. This band progressed from D grade in 1996 to its A Grade status in 2000 under the leadership of Mark Ford. He returned to Kew Band Melbourne 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. In seventy contest performances since 1985; Mark has guided these bands to no fewer than forty contest wins and many major placings.
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. 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 is a well-known and respected educator and adjudicator. He has officiated at many major competitions and eisteddfods including The Australian National Band Championships.
He has been a Music Teacher in Victorian Schools for over 20 years. 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 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 Cornet, Tenor Horn, Baritone and Euphonium. From 2001 to 2006, he was Principal Euphonium in the Melbourne Detachment of The Royal Australian Navy Band.
Mark is currently employed at Wesley College Melbourne in the following capacity;
- International Bacheloreate Diploma Music Teacher
- Head of Brass & Percussion
- Director of Senior Symphonic Band.