Mark Eager

Mark Eager Mark Eager has been at the forefront of music making in the UK since leaving the Royal Academy of Music with their highest award twenty-one years ago. Initially Mark was a London freelance trombonist working with the leading orchestras, opera and ballet companies, West End shows, film and session ensembles. In 1993 Mark was offered the position of Principal Trombone with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and has subsequently enjoyed much success with them. The BBC commissioned two new trombone concertos for Mark by John Pickard (The Spindle of Necessity in 1998) and Alun Hoddinott (Trombone Concerto in 2004). Both were recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3 to much critical acclaim. Mark has been a regular soloist for the BBC which led to him being bestowed with the Orchestral Recognition Award by the International Trombone Association for his excellence and the promotion of the trombone as a solo instrument.

In autumn 2004 Mark suffered a musician's worst nightmare; after intense periods of practice and performances of Alun Hoddinott's Concerto, Mark's face muscles became so severely damaged that he could no longer get a note out of the instrument. For many this would have been a devastating end, but for Mark it heralded a new beginning. Mark felt he could use his musicianship and many years of experience to do something he had always wanted to do - conduct. Mark talked to many of his conductor friends who encouraged him even more, most feeling that Mark had shown such a passion for and knowledge of music, combined with an energetic, enthusiastic and motivational personality that his destiny was set. Mark then began more studying and in June 2005 won a coveted place on the Orkney Conductor's Course during the St. Magnus Festival led by Martyn Brabbins and Charles Peebles, conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Paragon Ensemble and the St. Magnus Festival Chorus. After this intense ten day period Mark knew he was on the right road.

Mark is well known as an educationalist, is a lecturer at the Royal Welsh College of Music and has been involved in numerous BBC TV and Radio education projects. Mark's inspiring work with Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra led to him being offered the role of Music Director of Hertfordshire Wind Sinfonia and he relishes the challenge of nurturing the musicianship of talented young musicians.

Visit Mark Eager's website at http://www.markeager.com.