My Bio

Mark Ford B.Ed (Mus)

 

Mark Ford was the former Head of Bands and Music Teacher at St Leonard's College (2019-2024) and Head of Bands, Brass & Percussion at Wesley College Melbourne (2007-2018)

For a brief subatical, Mark joined the Royal Australian Navy Band as a full-time professional musician in 2001-2006.

He has also lectured in tertiary institutions. In 1997, he was lecturer/conductor of Brass Ensemble Studies at The Victorian College of the Arts and was lecturer in Brass at The University of Melbourne in 1999 as well as teacher of euphonium at the Australian Defence Force School of Music 2004-2009.


Mark is one of Australia’s most senior and sought after wind & brass adjudicators. He is in high demand in all states of Australia. Over the years, Mark has been Chief Adjudicator in the Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australian, West Australian, and Tasmanian State Championships. He has officiated at the Australian National Band Championships on several occasions as adjudicator of brass and concert bands as well as Solo & Party events. In 2023 & 2024, Mark was associate adjudicator at the New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. Mark is the only Australian that is a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) in the United Kingdom.


Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. From 1996 - 2012, he was Principal Conductor with Kew Band Melbourne, one of Australasia’s premier bands and with that band won three Australian National A Grade Championship titles in 1998, 2000 & 2011. In 2009, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne to its first Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) ‘Australasian Open’ Championship title. He has been appointed as a guest professional conductor with several bands in Australia but also overseas namely; Brass Band de Waldsang in The Netherlands and Hamamatsu Brass Band in Japan. In 2011, he directed Auckland's North Shore Brass in the New Zealand National Championships, one of very few Australians to do so.


In 1999, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne on a ground-breaking tour of Japan as guests of the All-Japan Brass Band Festival and in 2001, Mark accepted an invitation to travel to the Netherlands to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the 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 the Australian National Band for its 2000/01 & 2004 seasons. Mark Ford was the inaugural Musical Director of Victoria Brass in 2015 and was the Principal Conductor for its 2015 & 2016 seasons.

He was associate Musical Director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993 and was Director of Music and Musical Advisor to the Queensland State Youth Band for its 1998 and 1999 seasons.


In 2008, Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Bands’ League for his services to bands, conducting & performing and an 18-year member of its Adjudication Panel & Musical Advisory Board.

In 2018, Mark was awarded the coveted ‘Frank Wright Medal’ by the Royal South Street Society and VBL for services to Music as a conductor, composer, teacher, and mentor.


Mark Ford is a renowned soloist who has won many Local, State and National Championship titles in Australia. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have seen him win major solo titles on soprano, cornet, tenor horn, baritone, trombone, and euphonium.


These days, Mark Ford is active as a mentor to several Australian conductors, bands and composers. He regularly produces recordings and has worked in association with Kew Band, Melbourne Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Brett Baker, Sean Preist and Dr Matthew van Emmerik in their respective compact disc releases.


Mark Ford is widely known as an energetic, innovative, and passionate musician with vision and flair, who has considerable experience at a high level as a composer, conductor, adjudicator, administrator, motivator, and educator.


February 2025

My Bio

Mark Ford B.Ed (Mus)

 

Mark Ford was the former Head of Bands and Music Teacher at St Leonard's College (2019-2024) and Head of Bands, Brass & Percussion at Wesley College Melbourne (2007-2018)

For a brief subatical, Mark joined the Royal Australian Navy Band as a full-time professional musician in 2001-2006.

He has also lectured in tertiary institutions. In 1997, he was lecturer/conductor of Brass Ensemble Studies at The Victorian College of the Arts and was lecturer in Brass at The University of Melbourne in 1999 as well as teacher of euphonium at the Australian Defence Force School of Music 2004-2009.


Mark is one of Australia’s most senior and sought after wind & brass adjudicators. He is in high demand in all states of Australia. Over the years, Mark has been Chief Adjudicator in the Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australian, West Australian, and Tasmanian State Championships. He has officiated at the Australian National Band Championships on several occasions as adjudicator of brass and concert bands as well as Solo & Party events. In 2023 & 2024, Mark was associate adjudicator at the New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. Mark is the only Australian that is a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) in the United Kingdom.


Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. From 1996 - 2012, he was Principal Conductor with Kew Band Melbourne, one of Australasia’s premier bands and with that band won three Australian National A Grade Championship titles in 1998, 2000 & 2011. In 2009, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne to its first Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) ‘Australasian Open’ Championship title. He has been appointed as a guest professional conductor with several bands in Australia but also overseas namely; Brass Band de Waldsang in The Netherlands and Hamamatsu Brass Band in Japan. In 2011, he directed Auckland's North Shore Brass in the New Zealand National Championships, one of very few Australians to do so.


In 1999, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne on a ground-breaking tour of Japan as guests of the All-Japan Brass Band Festival and in 2001, Mark accepted an invitation to travel to the Netherlands to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the 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 the Australian National Band for its 2000/01 & 2004 seasons. Mark Ford was the inaugural Musical Director of Victoria Brass in 2015 and was the Principal Conductor for its 2015 & 2016 seasons.

He was associate Musical Director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993 and was Director of Music and Musical Advisor to the Queensland State Youth Band for its 1998 and 1999 seasons.


In 2008, Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Bands’ League for his services to bands, conducting & performing and an 18-year member of its Adjudication Panel & Musical Advisory Board.

In 2018, Mark was awarded the coveted ‘Frank Wright Medal’ by the Royal South Street Society and VBL for services to Music as a conductor, composer, teacher, and mentor.


Mark Ford is a renowned soloist who has won many Local, State and National Championship titles in Australia. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have seen him win major solo titles on soprano, cornet, tenor horn, baritone, trombone, and euphonium.


These days, Mark Ford is active as a mentor to several Australian conductors, bands and composers. He regularly produces recordings and has worked in association with Kew Band, Melbourne Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Brett Baker, Sean Preist and Dr Matthew van Emmerik in their respective compact disc releases.


Mark Ford is widely known as an energetic, innovative, and passionate musician with vision and flair, who has considerable experience at a high level as a composer, conductor, adjudicator, administrator, motivator, and educator.


February 2025

My Bio

MARK W. FORD B.Ed (Mus)

 

THE CAREER TEACHER

Mark Ford was the former Head of Bands and Music Teacher at St Leonard's College (2019-2024) and Head of Bands, Brass & Percussion at Wesley College Melbourne (2007-2018). For a brief sabbatical, Mark joined the Royal Australian Navy Band as a full-time professional musician in 2001-2006. His teaching experience extends to tertiary institutions as well. A lecturer and conductor of brass ensemble studies at The Victorian College of the Arts from 1997-99 and also served as a lecturer of brass studies at The University of Melbourne in 1999. Mark Ford was also a teacher of euphonium at the Australian Defence Force School of Music from 2004-2009. 'A teaching life spanning over 40 Years'.


THE PERFORMER
As a performer, Mark Ford is a well-known soloist in Australia who has won many local, state, and national titles. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have led him to win major solo titles on the soprano, cornet, tenor horn, baritone, trombone, and euphonium.


THE CONDUCTOR

Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. From 1996 - 2012, he was Principal Conductor of Kew Band Melbourne, one of Australasia's premier bands, winning three Australian National A Grade Championship titles in 1998, 2000 & 2011. Kew Band Melbourne won its first Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) 'Australasian Open' Championship in 2009 under Mark's direction. 


His professional experience includes conducting several bands both locally and overseas, including Brass Band de Waldsang in the Netherlands and Hamamatsu Brass Band in Japan. In 2011, he directed Auckland's North Shore Brass in the New Zealand National Championships, one of very few Australians to do so.


Kew Band Melbourne toured Japan in 1999 as guests of the All-Japan Brass Band Festival, and in 2001, Mark was invited to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the Survento Contest in the Netherlands. Brass Band de Waldsang won the Championship Section of this prestigious contest under his direction.

In 2000, Mark was awarded Principal Conductor of the Australian National Band 'Australia Brass' for seasons 2000 - 2004.

He was the inaugural Music Director of Victoria Brass and its Principal Conductor for its 2015 & 2016 seasons.

He served as associate musical director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993, and as Director of Music and Musical Advisor for the Queensland State Youth Band in 1998 and 1999.


CAREER RESULTS

https://www.brassbandresults.co.uk/people/mark-ford/conductor


THE INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR

One of Australia's most respected and well-known wind and brass adjudicators, Mark is in high demand in all states of Australia. Mark has judged the Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australian, West Australian, and Tasmania State Championships over the years. On a number of occasions, he has adjudicated both Brass and Concert bands as well as Solo & Party events at the Australian National Band Championships. He was an associate adjudicator at the New Zealand National Brass Band Championships in 2023 and 2024. 
In the United Kingdom, Mark is the only Australian member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA).


HIS AWARDS

Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Bands' League in 2008 for his services to bands, conducting and performing, and as a member of its Adjudication Panel and Musical Advisory Board for 18 years. Further to this in 2018, Mark was awarded the coveted ‘Frank Wright Medal’ by the Royal South Street Society and Victorian Bands' League for services to Music as a conductor, performer, composer, teacher, and mentor.


CURRENT WORK
As a mentor nowadays, Mark Ford is active in mentoring several Australian conductors, bands, and composers. He has regularly produced recordings and has worked with Kew Band, Melbourne Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Brett Baker, Sean Preist and Dr Matthew van Emmerik on their respective major recordings.


With a wide variety of high-level experiences as a composer, conductor, adjudicator, administrator, motivator, and educator, Mark Ford is a highly regarded musician known for his innovative vision and passion.


March 2025

TESTIMONIALS


Mark Ford is the most passionate person I know regarding brass bands and teaching young people. I cannot think of a more experienced individual of the brass idiom than my friend and colleague Mark

~ Dr. Brett Baker Solo Trombone The Cory Band & Chair of Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (UK)


Mark Ford is the most experienced Brass & Wind band conductor and adjudicator in this country. There is nothing he has not achieved at the highest level in his illustrious career

~ Dr Matthew van Emmerik (International euphonium artist)


BANSW highly recommends Mark to any organisation or group requiring a professional highly skilled adjudicator who is able to adjudicate all levels of performance standard with the same professional constructive yet supportive insight for both Brass Bands and Wind Bands

~ Jeff Markham BANSW President


Mark Ford stands as a distinguished figure in the Australian music scene, excelling as a performer, conductor, and adjudicator. With a career marked by both artistic brilliance and leadership, he has made a lasting impact on musicians across multiple generations.

As a conductor, he brings out the best in ensembles, demonstrating an exceptional ability to interpret and communicate music at the highest level. His leadership on the podium is both inspiring and effective, guiding musicians to deliver performances of remarkable depth and energy.

As an adjudicator, Mark’s vast experience and keen musical insight make him a respected authority in the field. His fair and constructive evaluations have helped shape the careers of many aspiring musicians, offering them valuable guidance and encouragement.

 

Mark Ford’s contributions to Australian music continue to set a benchmark for excellence. His dedication and influence have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in performance, conducting, and adjudication

~ Howard Taylor M.Mus.(Conducting) - 13 times National Championship winning conductor


MY COMPOSITIONS

Note: click on an underlined hyper-link title and it will take you directly to the information/purchase page


Brass Band Works - Lake Music Publications (Netherlands)


    **New arrivals in 2025**


Concert Band Works - Lake Music Publications (Netherlands)



Brass Band Works - Bandford Music Publications (Australia)


Concert Band Works - Bandford Music Publications (Australia)


    **Available in April 2025**

  • South Street Boogie (CB Grade 2)
  • Hampton Street Blues (CB Grade 1.5)

MY ARRANGEMENTS


Brass Band Arrangements

  • Rippling Watercolors (Balmages)
  • Shenendoah (Ticheli)
  • British Grenadiers (Hartmann) - euphonium solo & band
  • It Is Well With My Soul (Condon)
  • Just a Closer Walk With Thee (traditional) - trumpet/cornet solo & band
  • Someone Like You (Wildhorn) - vocal & band
  • Tell Me On A Sunday (Sondheim) - vocal & band
  • All the Things You Are (Kern) - vocal & band
  • Variations on a Welsh Theme - euphonium solo & band



Concert Band Arrangements

  • Tocatta in D Minor (Bach)
  • Dance from 2nd Sinfionetta (Ballissat)
  • The Gael (Jones)
  • Country Scene (Richards)
  • Hymn for Diana (Turrin)
  • Abide with Me (3 Verses)
  • Advance Australia Fair  (2 Verses)
  • Alfie - trombone solo & band
  • British Grenadiers (Hartmann) - euphonium solo & band
  • Reunion & Finale (Edelman)
  • Irish Blessing (Bacak)
  • Share My Yoke (Webb) - cornet solo & band
  • Just a Closer Walk with Thee (trumpet solo & band)
  • La Virgin de la Macarena (Calero & Bautista) - trumpet solo & band
  • Only in Sleep (Evansvald)
  • Koncert in f-mol (Bohme) - trumpet solo & band
  • Riverdance (Whelan)
  • Someone Like You (Wildhorn) - vocal & band
  • Stardust (Carmichael) - trombone & band
  • Tell Me On A Sunday (Sondheim) - vocal & band
  • The Mission (Morricone) - oboe solo & band
  • Variations on a Welsh Theme (Kneale) - euphonium solo & band



Please note: All arrangements above can be made available by emailing: bandfordm1@gmail.com


AUSTRALASIAN ADJUDICATOR

AoBBA Member


Mark is one of Australasia's most senior and sought after wind & brass adjudicators. He is in high demand across all states of Australia & New Zealand. Over 30 years, Mark has been Chief Adjudicator in the Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australian, West Australian, and Tasmanian State Championships. He has also officiated at the prestigious Melbourne Schools’ Band Festival and Australian National Eisteddfod in Canberra as well as officiating at many local and interstate Eisteddfods. He has officiated at the Australian National Band Championships on several occasions as adjudicator of brass and concert bands as well as Solo & Party events. In 2023 & 2024, Mark was associate adjudicator at the New Zealand National Brass Band Championships.

Mark is the only elected Australian member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) in the United Kingdom.


For Bookings please contact me on +61 (0) 425717926 or mark@bandfordmusic.com.au


AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR


Mark Ford is the Australian Ambassador for Denis Wick Products and Geneva Instruments.


Mark performs on the marvelous Geneva Cardinal Cornet with a Denis Wick Classic 4 mouthpiece


AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR


Mark Ford is the Australian Ambassador for Denis Wick Products and Geneva Instruments.


Mark performs on the marvelous Geneva Cardinal Cornet with a Denis Wick Classic 4 mouthpiece


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