Mark began his musical career playing Cornet at the age of ten with Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band and progressed quickly through the ranks to the Senior Band.

1987 was a watershed in his playing career when he changed instruments from Cornet to Flugelhorn. In the years that followed he became Horn Champion of Great Britain on all six occasions that he entered the competition. The culmination of his efforts came with the coveted title, Solo Champion of Great Britain.

He has been fortunate to tour extensively throughout the World performing solos in venues as large as the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. During this time, he has brought the Flugelhorn to the forefront of Brass Band audiences, expanding its repertoire with works specially commissioned for him including Cortege (Michael Ball) and Flight (Philip Wilby).

In 1998 Mark left his beloved Grimethorpe due to work commitments, he gained a Master’s Degree in Music from Leeds University and Qualified Teacher Status in 1999. He continued playing as a guest soloist and as flugelhorn and principal cornet for many of the major bands including Black Dyke Mills and Brighouse.

Mark has been Head of Performance in a local secondary school for the past 20 years and returned to Grimethorpe in 2018 as their Flugelhorn player.