MARK WILSON

Bassoonist, countertenor and conductor Mark Wilson is a specialist in historical performance, regularly working with some of the country's leading period instrument orchestras. He runs the Oxford University Society's Alumni choir for Gloucestershire, Standish Consort and also performs as a countertenor soloist for performances across the UK.

In 2022 Mark became the Director of Music for Pembroke College, Oxford University.

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Mark is the founder and musical director of the group Ensemble La Notte. Formed in 2018 and specialising in 17th and 18th century music, they perform on period instruments and give concerts around the UK. ELN consists of a core trio, and a group of string players join them for larger scale concerts. The ELN trio (with Kate Allsop and William Peart) have been highly successful on the competitive platform, winning the prestigious THSH Prize and the Corton Hyde Early Music Prize. ELN's Latest Album 'La Folia' is available to purchase. 

In 2023, Mark co-founded the English Wind Consort. Comprising 7 full time members, they aim to explore consort repertoire composed between 14th and 17th century on renaissance wind instruments and voices.

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Mark is also a talented counter tenor . Aged 14, he was awarded an Honours in singing from the Royal School of Church Music. Mark sings regularly with many Cathedral choirs and has partaken in large choral events including the three choirs festival and the sons of clergy festival at St Paul's cathedral, London. He features on numerous CDs as a Countertenor, most notably with Birmingham Cathedral Choir and the Lassus Consort.

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Originally from Hertfordshire, England and having achieved a high standard in bassoon, piano, organ and voice at a young age, Mark found his passion for music and was awarded two scholarships to begin his studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2015. Four years later he graduated with first class honours. As a modern bassoonist Mark also regularly enters competitions and auditions. In march 2019 he became the winner of the coveted Nicholas Hunka bassoon prize for the second time. Notable other performances include the Mozart bassoon concerto with the St John's Ensemble and Stravinksy's ineffable work, 'The Rite of Spring' in Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

 

Mark is the bassoonist of The Inventus Quintet, and is a founding member of the group. The Group were formed in 2015 and Since then have gone on to be Finalists of the Sylvia Cleaver Chamber Prize and in 2018 they won the Leamington Music Prize. They can be seen all over the UK giving concerts, masterclasses and workshops to all ages. As part of their busy concert diary, Inventus had their first tour in April 2019 to Dallas, Texas. Copies of their latest CD can be ordered from the quintet website.