Click on Mark to hear a sample

Mark Kesel (trumpet) was inspired to pursue a career in music by his first teacher Jimmy Norden and continued his studies with Sidney Ellison at the Royal Academy of Music. After obtaining a degree in music from the University of Reading, Mark was appointed trumpet teacher there. He conducted a series of performances of the rarely staged opera by Stanford called The Travelling Companion, was principal trumpet with the touring opera company Opera East for twelve years and has worked as a freelance trumpet player and guest soloist. Mark founded Chaconne Brass in 1984 and was the driving force behind the group in its early years. He was responsible for devising their popular family and educational programme Oh Good Chips for Tea! which has been performed to tens of thousands of children in Britain and abroad. Mark directed two lottery-funded educational projects with Chaconne Brass in his hometown of Reading and has composed and arranged several works for the group, a number of which are recorded on their CDs ­ Chaconne Brass (CBCD597) and We Are Not Alone (CBCD1101). Mark lives in Reading with his wife, two children and dog, is a keen supporter of Reading Football Club and enjoys his tennis and mountain walks.