Mark Cox
About
'....a very professional and talented performer who is reliable and focused.'
José Antonio Bowen
Following early studies at The Royal College of Music Junior Department, Mark played professionally with The Regimental Band of Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards. During this time he won the Frank Wright Cornet Competition at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, and was a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition. Mark graduated from the University of Southampton having played principal trumpet in all of the university ensembles throughout his time there.
Since leaving Southampton he has played with a wide variety of ensembles and orchestras and is on the extras list of the English Symphony Orchestra and English National Ballet, as well as performing in the West End (principally Starlight Express) and as a soloist.
Mark has enjoyed passing on the benefits of his teaching and extensive performing experience to younger musicians, coaching and teaching brass players of Southampton University and Essex Youth Orchestra. Mark's career has taken him to major venues throughout the world. In addition to the major venues in London, he has performed all over the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Europe. He has made several recordings.
In 2006, Mark was diagnosed with Bells Palsy, a facial paralysis affecting one side of his face, and was unable to play the trumpet at all for 18 months.
'...the trumpet parts were played so softly and carefully with the rest of the ensemble.'
Dave Brubeck - La Fiesta de la Posada
' He is an outstanding and conscientious musician who plays in a wide variety of styles….His strongest asset is that he is a sensitive, listening musician……Mark is a very professional and talented performer who is reliable and focused….'
José Antonio Bowen
‘…Those celebrated parallel harmonies in A Pastoral Symphony (Vaughan Williams) were richly defined, and there was a feast of deft solo playing from all departments. It would be perverse not to single out Mark Cox, who delivered a superb trumpet cadenza in the second movement, but in truth there were endless moments worthy of note from all sections….’
Peter Rhodes
I am a keen teacher and have taught a huge variety of age groups and levels, from beginners through to conservatoire students, from seven to seventy years old.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you think there's something I might be able to help you with and I really look forward to hearing from you.
"The lessons are exceptional for many reasons: The balance between theory and practice is very good and I am able to play a lot during the lessons as well as understanding quite a bit of music theory. The atmosphere of the lesson is always relaxed and I never feel the pressure to perform despite my overthinking. We work on different styles of music and this gives me the chance to learn different techniques and be more comfortable when I play more challenging bits. I learn something new every lesson. Mark is always very supportive and patient in teaching and is always ready to make me understand the more complicated bits by using practical examples. I started taking lessons with Mark at the end of 2020, at 36 years old, to fulfill my childhood dream to play the trumpet and in a few months I went from knowing nothing about music to actually being able to read it and play at a higher level than I could ever hope for."
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you have done for Frank. Your weekly lessons have meant a great deal to him and he was sad last night with the thought of saying goodbye....."
"...was recommended to contact Mark by my local music shop. I have progressed well using his methods of teaching, finding him patient and supportive at all times, whether theory or practical. I have no hesitation in also recommending him"
"Unbelievably patient, thankfully exacting, but shed loads of fun. If Carlsberg make trumpet teachers - Mark would probably be the Carlsberg of them all!"
Current teaching positions
Essex Youth Orchestra
Langley Grammar School
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School
Private students
Previous positions held
Ashfold School, St Piran's School, Shiplake College, Highcrest Community School, John Hampden Grammar School, Bucks Music Service, Lynch Hill Primary Academy, Claires Court Schools, Brent Music Service, Long Close School, Kingswood School, Haresfoot School, Beechview School, Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonietta, University of Southampton
Teachers
John Wilbraham
International Brass Seminar, USA (Ed Caroll, Eric Crees, Barry Tuckwell, Roger Bobo)
John Wallace
Iaan Wilson
Chris Hortin
Peter White
Edgar Riches
Norman Archibald
Gordon Hughes
Derek Tinker
Education
University of Southampton
Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall
Army Junior School of Music, Pirbright
Royal College of Music, Junior Department
International Brass Seminar, Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities, USA
Reading Blue Coat School
BA (hons)
Member Incorporated Society of Musicians
