Koos Mark composer / arranger

Koos Mark was born on 27 August 1944 in Leiden. At the age of six, he received his first trumpet lessons from his father, himself a well-known musician. After studying at the music school in his home town, Koos Mark went on to study trumpet and piano at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague in 1958, where he also took composition classes with the director, Kees van Baaren, a renowned composer. In the meantime, he played trumpet in various orchestras, including the Residentie Orkest from 1962 to 1964. After completing his studies, he was engaged as principal trumpet with the Royal Military Band (K.M.K.), a post he held from 1965 to 1973. He also directed several amateur societies, taught at various music schools and set up his own bigband orchestra, which was always a great success. From 1973 he turned increasingly to composing and arranging. He arranged music for several stars, whom he also accompanied: Lee Towers, Mini and Maxi, André van Duin, Donna Lynton, Udo Jürgens, Petula Clark and Robert Long. After a seven-year collaboration with Robert Long in the theatre, Mark and Long became record co-producers. Recently their recording of the musical 'Tschekow' won an Edison. Koos Mark has often been called upon as arranger and sound manager for several recordings by the Air Force Band and the Royal Netherlands Military Band. He has composed numerous pieces that have been played by all the bands of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.