Mark Ford

Mark Ford is a recently retired school teacher and has been a dedicated teacher in Victorian Schools for almost 40 years. During this time Mark joined the Royal Australian Navy Band – Melbourne Detachment as a full-time professional musician in 2001, a position he held for 5 years. During this time he was commissioned as a band officer in 2004.

Mark is a well-regarded educationalist and many schools and students have benefited from his services. In addition to his regular teaching, managerial and administrative duties, he has assisted a large number of students to prepare for examinations and musical competitions. A number of school music directors have sought his counsel in preparation for their festival, eisteddfod and competition performances. In 2015, Mark was appointed associate chief conductor for the biennial Australian Combined Schools’ Music Festival (ACSMF) held at Hamer Hall, Melbourne. Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. He was Principal Conductor with Kew Band Melbourne, one of Australasia’s premier bands for a period of 16 years, and with that band won 3 Australian National A Grade Championship titles in 1998, 2000 & 2011. In 2009, Mark directed Kew Band Melbourne to its first Australasian Open Championship title. Mark was appointed conductor of the National Band of Australia for its 2001 & 2004 Seasons. Mark has conducted bands in the UK, The Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Japan and New Zealand. In 2008, Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Bands’ League for his many years of service to the community in performing, conducting and adjudicating brass and concert bands throughout Australia at all levels. Mark is one of Australia’s most experienced band adjudicators – adjudicating in every state of Australia and New Zealand. In 2018, Mark was awarded the prestigious ‘Frank Wright Medal’ by the Royal South Street Society and Victorian Bands’ League for his services to music as a conductor, adjudicator, composer, teacher and mentor. Mark remains very involved in music across Australia and New Zealand as a mentor and coach. He is a mentor to a number of current Australian conductors, providing guidance and advice in the areas of band musicianship and training. Mark Ford is widely known as an energetic, innovative and passionate educator and musician with vision and flair, who has considerable experience at a high level as a performer, conductor, adjudicator and educator.

• 2018 Awarded the 'Frank Wright' Medal for services to Music as a; composer, conductor, adjudicator & mentor.
• Life Member of the Victorian Bands' League
• Life Member - Kew Band
• Life Member - Brunswick City Municipal Band
• 25 Year Medal - National Band Council of Australia

• Victorian Institute of Teaching - Mentor Level 1 Course, 2009
• International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBDP) – Level One Course, 2009
• IBOMYP Training – Level 1
• Current up to date Anaphylaxis Training (March 2019)
• Completed current Child Protection & Bullying online Modules

• Member – Associated Board of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA) UK.
• Member – Victorian Bands’ League – Music Advisory Board
• Member – National Band Council of Australia – Adjudicator
• Advisor to Maestros with a Mission
• Victorian Bands’ League