Mark De Souza graduated from the University of Eastern Michigan, USA with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance. He has been a percussionist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for 25 years.
Besides this, Mark has performed in numerous chamber music concerts namely "EMIS IV", a Quartet who gave a Singapore premiere performance of Bartok's 'Sonata for Two Pianos' and percussion on 4th April 1993 and a CD recording afterwards. In 1994 they were invited to perform at the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
His other performances include the SSO Percussion Ensemble at the Singapore Festival of Arts in 1994, 1997 and 1999 and also the National Arts Council Outreach Concert Programs.
In 2001, he was on the Artistic Management Committee and a Clinician in the National Combined Schools Percussion Festival.
Mark has performed frequently with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and in 2005, with The Berlin Philharmonic Academy Orchestra touring in Malaysia and in another concert with the SSO Concert Master and his Trio, VMC in Sabah.
As a teacher, his contributions include conducting masterclasses in the Singapore schools and percussion courses for the Ministry of Education Primary and Secondary school teachers.
He was percussion tutor for the National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra from 1986-1997.
His other appointments include Vice-President of the Percussive Arts Society of Singapore 2001-2003.
Zildjian products used:
18in pair classic orchestral
20in pair K.Constantinople
18in K.Constantinople suspended
15in classic orchestral suspended