Benjamin MARKS
trombone

Ben Marks is a freelance musician based in Brisbane. He has been a member of ELISION Ensemble since their European tour in 1996 and specialises in the performance of contemporary music, including collaborations with visual artists (Keith ARMSTRONG, Adam DONOVAN) and free improvisation (Particle Moves, and with John RODGERS within TULP, the body public). He also performs with ensembles throughout Australia including Ensemble Offspring, Libra Ensemble, Southern Cross Soloists, Australian Chamber Brass Ensemble, and the Adelaide, Western Australian, Melbourne and Queensland symphony orchestras. Ben regularly gives solo recitals in Brisbane and throughout Australia. His performance of Richard BARRETT's Basalt is due to be released on the NMC Recordings label as part of an ELISION soloists CD.

Ben is currently teaching trombone, and runs various ensembles, at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University and also teaches trombone at the Queensland University of Technology. He has also lectured at Adelaide Univeristy and the Victorian College of the Arts.

Ben has received a number of scholarships and awards including grants from the Australia Council, Arts Queensland, and Ian Potter Foundation and academic awards from The University of Melbourne and Griffith University. He received his Bachelor of Music honours (specializing in composition) from the University of Melbourne and gained his Master of Music (specializing in performance) from Griffith University. His teachers include Simone de HAAN and Eric KLAY, and brief study with Mike SVOBODA, Michael MULCAHY, Edward KLEINHAMMER and Arnold JACOBS.

Ben has recently been involved in organising events including the Australian premiere of Tyrannosaurus Sue (a "cretaceous" concerto for trombone and ensemble), indigenous dance and music workshops, meditation workshops, and roving improvising trombone ensembles.

March 2006

Photo by James GARDNER