Mark Wilson is a bassoonist specialising in both Modern and historical bassoons, the latter of which he studied with Andrew Watts and Ursula Leveaux. He regularly performs with groups such as Instruments of time and truth, Oxford Bach Soloists, The Musical and Amicable Society and Armonico Consort. As a soloist, he has performed numerous concerti with both modern and period instrument orchestras.
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. April 2019 saw the release of their first CD. Entitled 'La Notte'; including the concerto that gave the disk it's title, it features 6 of Vivaldi's best works for recorder and bassoon, performed by Kate Allsop and Mark Wilson. The ELN trio (with Kate Allsop and William Peart) have been highly successful on the competitive platform, recently winning the prestigious THSH Prize and the Corton Hyde Early Music Prize.
Mark is also a talented counter tenor in the choir of Worcester cathedral. Aged 14, he was awarded an Honours in singing from the Royal School of Church Music. Mark sings regularly with other 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. Recent radio broadcasts include live choral evensongs from Birmingham and Worcester cathedrals. He features on numerous CDs as a Countertenor, most notably with Birmingham Cathedral Choir and the Lassus Consort.
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 degree. As a modern bassoonist Mark also regularly enters competitions and auditions. In march 2019 he became the winner of the Nicholas Hunka bassoon prize for the second time and in January 2019 was awarded with a place on the extra work list for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 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 with the Conservatoire symphony orchestra.
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. Last spring also saw the release of their first CD and copies can be ordered from the quintet Encore page.
