Mark began taking piano lessons at the age of 7 from Lili Simon, a Hungarian immigrant who studied with Bartók. They thought he had some talent so he stayed with that for about five years, but then family obligations and school and growing up started to take their toll on practice time. In high school he joined the band as a flag corpsman but when concert season rolled around and they needed low brass, he joined the players on euphonium. That was a wonderful experience, solos and all, so Mark was pretty upset when his family moved from there (Illinois) to Massachusetts, particularly when it was made known that the new school did not offer a music program!
Mark bought his own piano in the early 80s and has dabbled at it since. He joined the HP Choir as a bass three years ago, and has accompanied several of their soloists or ensembles at concerts, and has also accompanied occasionally at rehearsals. He also serves as the choir's librarian.
Mark got re-acquainted with the euphonium around Christmas of 1995. He saw a Usenet posting announcing the San Jose Christmas Tubafest -- some 200+ instruments of the tuba family (Eb alto, baritone, euphonium, F/Eb/CC/BBb tuba) playing Tony Clements's arrangements of Christmas favorites for all the shoppers at Eastridge Mall in San Jose. (Mr. Clements is the principal tuba of the San Jose Symphony.) Since then he has purchased a pretty decent instrument, studied with Mr. Clements, and participated in the Brass Chamber Music Workshop at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He also plays with the Foothill College Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Mark joined the HPSO on keyboard in 1995 and his first assignment was to play the celesta part for Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy on synthesizer. Just slightly intimidating. Since then he's accompanied the Orchestra on piano or synth were needed, and even tried his hand at the piano part of the Bagatelle #5 by Dvorák (with the string parts being played by Doug Perry, Ri-Shea Schlitter, and Rod Bachelor). Since the Spring 1997 season Mark has also played second and third trombone parts on euphonium, and now shares keyboard duties with Norina Sharpe.
Besides music, Mark enjoys flying small planes, skiing, refereeing in his younger daughter's soccer league, astronomy, reading, and handyman stuff. He watches little TV so George's references to this or that song being heard on this or that program are lost on him! :-)