Telephone Number : 0191 660 0135 or 07853376675
Email address : mithompson86@aol.com
Website : Markthompsonmusic.com
Address : 25 The Orchard, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5DA
Mark has been playing the Electronic organ from the age of seven. After gaining interest he joined the Technics Academy at the age of nine, where he worked his way through grades and entered local competitions, reaching area finals in 1999. Mark was later taught by Chiho Sunamato at the Yamaha School of Music. He began playing concerts at the age of fifteen, and now travels up and down the UK, and abroad, playing the Yamaha EL90 for organ societies, festivals and private functions. In 2002 Mark played in, and won, the ‘Young Theatre Organist of the Year’ competition and has performed on many of the country's top theatre organs since.
In addition to his work on the organ circuit Mark plays in 60s and 70s band, ‘Wallstreet’, on the keyboards/providing backing vocals, works as musical director or rehearsal pianist for many North East musical theatre societies and in the orchestra for their shows, and works as vocal coach, accompanist or MD for many North East stage schools, and for musical theatre colleges in both Blackpool and Leeds. Mark also plays cocktail piano at hotels and restaurants across the North East, and for many weddings throughout the year. He often plays with jazz band 'The Fab Dakers Boys' at Newcastle United's football ground, 'St. James' Park', on match days, and also regularly features in the band for 'The Ratpack Vegas Spectacular' show at theatres around the country.
In 2012 Mark was given the job of Musical Director for The Gala Theatre's pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty', in Durham, with a total of 60 performances to play for and conduct, a role which he has performed every year since. This year will be his 6th Panto season, with a run of 73 performances of 'Robinson Crusoe'. One of the highlights of Mark's musical career so far was back in 2010, when he was lucky enough to spend a month in Eilat, Israel, playing and singing with the band 'Skidoo 23'.
A distant memory now, but back in 2007 Mark completed a Mathematics degree at Durham University, which one day he may even use!
Concerts in 2020 | |
---|---|
March 11th | Lincoln Electronic Organ and Keyboard Society |
March 27th | St Edmundsbury In Tune (more details) Horringer Community Centre, The Street, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5RU Mike Roberts 01359 250704. |
March 31st | South Yorkshire Keyboard and Organ Club |
April 5th | Stilton In Tune - Keyboard Showtime |
April 19th | Music for the North East |
May 6th | North Herts Organ Society |
May 15th | Briston Organ Shows |
May 16th | Belper & District Organ & Keyboard Club |
May 18th | Nene Valley Organ Club - Northampton (more details) CANCELLED owing to Covid 19 |
July 14th | Blackpool Keyboard Club |
September 1st | New Forest Organ Society |
September 3rd | Scunthorpe Organ Society |
October 13th | Cosham Keyboard & Music Club |
Concerts in 2021 | |
---|---|
February 3rd | Grimsby Keyboard & Electronic Organ Club |
February 4th | North Staffs Organ and Keyboard Club |
March 4th | Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Afternoon & Evening Concert, Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel |
May 17th | Nene Valley Organ Club - Northampton |
May 20th | Harrogate Keyboard Club |
May 27th | Kingswinford and District Organ Society |
July 16th | Cookhill Keyboard Club |