Mark Eager
| Hon.D.Arts; ARAM; Dip.RAM; LRAM; ARCM |
“stunning and brilliantly realised” - The Guardian “an intelligently conducted, vibrant performance” - musicweb international. “Eager held the orchestra with poise and elegance” – Western Mail Mark Eager is an exciting conductor with a wide breadth of knowledge in the orchestral field. Underpinning this is his experience as a world-class player; Soloist and Principal Trombone with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales from 1993 to 2006. During this time Mark played the world premieres of concerti by Francaix, Pickard and Hoddinott for BBC Radio 3 and accumulated a vast recording portfolio in Radio, TV, Film and CD. Mark recently conducted composer Michael Csanyi-Wills’ first CD - ‘Songs with Orchestra’ with the Londamis Ensemble for Toccata Classics and is receiving five star reviews from every quarter. His mature understanding from ‘inside’ the orchestral repertoire, make him unique as well as engaging and inspirational. Since his appointment as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of The Welsh Sinfonia in 2006, Mark has diversified the Sinfonia’s traditional classical roots by commissioning and premièring new repertoire by some of the foremost British composers including David Matthews and Roxanna Panufnik. He is often praised for his personal introductions to pieces which adds context and intimacy to the concert going experience. Mark has secured Royal Patronage from The Earl of St. Andrews who is excited by his vision and dedication. As critics have noted: “Eager’s clear, highly musical direction and his consummate grasp of musical idioms have developed the ensemble over the past few years into Wales’s finest chamber orchestra”. The Welsh Sinfonia’s landmark Crescendo project, to build school orchestras primarily in disadvantaged areas throughout Wales, is highly successful under Mark’s leadership, with schools and communities seeing tangible development in their collective appreciation of classical music. To raise funding for & awareness of this groundbreaking project, Mark has twice personally taken on marathon running challenges. In 2014 he ran from Cardiff to London and in 2016 the whole length of Wales, Llandudno to Cardiff, showing his passion for bringing orchestral music into the classroom. Mark has a particular talent for and is dedicated to working with young people. As Principal Conductor of Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra, he constantly enjoys the thrill of inspiring young musicians. Under his baton the orchestra is achieving significant educational and musical success, including CD releases for Prima Facie Records. High profile concerts are regularly given in venues such as St. David’s Hall as well as on European tours and visits to their strategic partner in China, Xiamen University. In March 2017 the University of Bolton awarded Mark an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Arts) for services to music & performance. Mark tours extensively as a guest conductor & clinician throughout the world. As well as annual residencies throughout Australia, 2017 venues include China, India and Hong Kong. Honours and Awards BBC Concerto Commissions for Mark Eager |