Mark’s singing and conducting talents were first spotted by the near-legendary Ronnie Lee MBE, the master of the award-winning choir at Belfast’s Grosvenor High School choir, where Mark was a pupil. From there, he joined the Saint George’s Singers, a choir renowned for its extensive repertoire of baroque and classical works.
In 1991 – and whilst still at university – Mark became the conductor of the Harlandic Male Voice Choir, an appointment which, at the time, made him the youngest conductor of any male voice choir in the UK. As well as winning numerous awards, the choir made several appearances on the BBC, ITV and RTE, most notably taking part in a cross-border TV broadcast to mark the signing of the Good Friday agreement. Throughout the 1990s, Mark also presented programmes for Lyric FM, RTE's classical music station.
In 2001, Mark left Belfast to pursue a civil service career in Dorset, a move that meant putting his musical interests to one side for a while. But his talents didn’t lie dormant for long, because he joined Bournemouth Male Voice Choir in 2004 and was appointed Musical Director a short time later. With Mark at the helm, the choir has performed and toured extensively, developed its repertoire and recruited many new members, as well as achieving competition success and recording two CDs.
Aside from BMVC, Mark arranges music (his arrangements are sung throughout the UK, America and Canada), guest conducts for several other choirs and regularly adjudicates at music festivals.
David East – Accompanist
David was appointed as the choir’s main accompanist in September 2008.
He studied music at Trinity College of Music, after which he was the accompanist for an opera group in the Caribbean.
He has many musical interests, including being organist at St Christopher's Church in Southbourne from 1998-2003, conducting a variety of theatre productions and giving recitals of chamber music.
Kathy Miller – ‘Mainly Men’ Accompanist
Recently retired as main choir accompanist, Kathy continues to accompany the ‘Mainly Men’ choir.
Kathy's love of music from Beethoven to Scott Joplin has resulted in her becoming a most versatile pianist in all styles, and often plays for a number of local choirs, instrumental groups and vocalists. She also plays as a solo pianist at local theatres and variety groups.
In 1994 the Bournemouth Male Voice Choir was reorganising its musical team and looking for an assistant accompanist. Kathy was auditioned and her enthusiasm, personality and expertise were just what the choir was looking for. Later Kathy took over the duties as main accompanist to the choir and is very much an established member of the musical team. Her talent as a pianist is exceptional and she accompanies the soloists at many of our concerts.