Mark Ford

Mark Ford OAM is one of Australia’s most respected and experienced figures in music education and the brass band movement, with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He served as Head of Bands and Music Teacher at St Leonard’s College (2019–2024) and previously as Head of Bands, Brass & Percussion at Wesley College Melbourne (2007–2018). Earlier in his career, Mark was a full-time professional musician with the Royal Australian Navy Band (2001–2006).

Mark has also contributed extensively to tertiary music education, including roles as Lecturer/Conductor of Brass Ensemble Studies at the Victorian College of the Arts (1997), Lecturer in Brass at the University of Melbourne (1999), and Euphonium Instructor at the Australian Defence Force School of Music (2004–2009).

A highly regarded adjudicator, Mark is in demand across all Australian states and has served as Chief Adjudicator at State Championships in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. He has also adjudicated at the Australian National Band Championships, covering brass, concert bands, and Solo & Party events.

Mark has had a long and meaningful association with major community and competitive music festivals, including over 50 years of involvement with the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod as both performer and adjudicator. He has also had many years of involvement with the Bendigo Competitions, where he has contributed extensively as both a performer and adjudicator. As a performer, Mark has longstanding ties with Australia Brass (The National Band), having been an inaugural member (Solo Cornet, 1995–96) and later serving as professional conductor (2001).

Mark is scheduled to perform with Australia Brass at the World Music Contest (Kerkrade, Netherlands) in 2026. In recognition of his outstanding service to music education and the arts, Mark was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2025.