Congratulations to Brother Mark Bonner (Theta Rho Chapter – 2011) on his recent appointment as the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Central Missouri!
“I am excited to join the Marching Mules and their community of amazing students, faculty, and alumni to foster the highest level of musicianship and to support and promote our university and athletic program.”
Brother Bonner, is a music educator, composer, and clinician from Memphis, Tennessee. Mark is an active music arranger for high school and university programs across the country with arrangements still being performed throughout the United States. He was recently a part of a collaboration for the LSU marching band show entitled “Binge-Watch” which received national recognition on ESPN and by cast members of “The Office.” Mark has recently commissioned and premiered works by Thomas Odenheimer, Leigh Anne Robichaux, as well as his own transcriptions for wind and chamber ensembles.
Mark holds a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Louisiana State University where he studied conducting with Damon Talley and Dennis Llinas and euphonium with Joseph Skillen (Beta Omega Chapter – 1988). As a member of the LSU Band Staff, Mark assisted with and performed in the LSU Wind Ensemble during their 2019 CBDNA tour. He also had the responsibility of guest conducting concerts presented by the LSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band. The elite athletic band programs allowed Brother Bonner the opportunity to arrange for and work with the Bengal Brass Pep Band, and the Sudler- winning Golden Band from Tigerland. Mark also regularly performed with the LSU Brass Band, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and the Four-Guys Tuba Quartet.
Before attending LSU, Brother Bonner was the Director of Bands at Cordova High School and Cordova Middle School in Cordova, TN, where he grew the band from 40 members to 220 and guided the program in receiving superior ratings at all concert, marching, and jazz festivals. Mark served as a clinician, music arranger, and musician in the Memphis area as a member of Big Band Swing, Mt. Moriah East Gospel Choir, and the Memphis Wind Symphony on trumpet, trombone, and euphonium respectively.
Mark earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education at the University of Memphis where he studied euphonium under Dr. Kevin Sanders and music education under Dr. Albert Nguyen (Theta Rho Chapter – 2015) and Dr. Armand Hall (Epsilon Chapter – 1999). While attending the University of Memphis, he was drum major, trombone section leader, euphonium section leader, and a student arranger for the Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band.
