A very experienced and accomplished composer and performer, Mark studied piano, organ, clarinet, saxophone, and choral singing. He has an honours degree in Music from Exeter University.
THEATRE
Beginning at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, Mark composed the music for Declan Donellan’s acclaimed production of Martin Sherman’s BENT and played keyboards for the world premiere of TUTANKHAMUN, the first musical written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Other theatre work included the role of actor/pianist for Keith Strachan's poignant production of TONIGHT: LOLA BLAU followed by on-stage pianist for the critically acclaimed production of THE LADY OR THE TIGER at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre and then assistant musical director and keyboard player for MOLL FLANDERS at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury.
LIVE PERFORMING
As a performer on piano and keyboards, Mark has appeared nationally and internationally with many different singers and instrumentalists (jazz, rock, and pop) including his own bands, most notably THIS SIDE UP with Luiz de Almeida on guitar and Dylan Howe on drums, and Brazilian band AUWÊ. As well as playing numerous times at the Jazz Café in London (including performing as the band for Clara Moreno - daughter of famous Brazilian singer Joyce), AUWÊ also opened shows for Caetano Veloso at the Barbican, London and for Marisa Monte at the Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre, and were invited to Brazil to play in Rio de Janeiro at the Humaitá Pra Peixe festival, Rio's foremost festival for new music and new bands. Mark also played piano alongside guitarist Mo Nazam for the group THE BERAKAH PLAYERS, part of the charity BERAKAH ARTS, an innovative organisation dedicated to crossing boundaries of race, religion and culture through the arts.
STUDIO RECORDING
As a session player, Mark has played on many film and television drama soundtracks, and has appeared on various live television shows with such stars as Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, and Placido Domingo. His studio work has included keyboards for Kirsty MacColl on her album TROPICAL BRAINSTORM, and piano and keyboards for French singer Arielle’s album IMBECILE HEUREUSE produced by David Corcos and mixed by Mario Caldatto jr. Mark was also orchestral arranger and conductor for Arielle’s album (recorded at Smecky Studio, Prague), as well as string arranger and conductor for Jools Holland’s album SUNSET OVER LONDON and choir arranger and conductor for Adam F’s album KAOS: THE ANTI-ACOUSTIC WARFARE.
FILM & TV COMPOSING
As a composer, Mark’s first film was the Sky Pictures feature, TUBE TALES, which led on to, amongst others, the Film Four/Tiger Aspect feature DOG EAT DOG starring Gary Kemp, Alan Davies, and Melanie Blatt, and the Spice Factory/Phantom Pictures feature BABY JUICE EXPRESS starring Nick Moran, Phil Davis, Lisa Faulkner, and Samantha Janus. Mark composed the score for the film festival/internet sensation THE MAN FROM EARTH and the sequel THE MAN FROM EARTH: HOLOCENE. As a composer for television drama, Mark scored all four series of the highly successful BBC One drama CUTTING IT starring Amanda Holden, Sarah Parish, Jason Merrells, and Ben Daniels, followed by further dramas, including BBC One’s FINAL DEMAND starring Simon Pegg, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Liam Cunningham, BBC One’s 55 DEGREES NORTH starring Don Gilet and Dervla Kirwan, BBC One’s WATERLOO ROAD starring Jason Merrells and Angela Griffin, both series of BBC One's HOLBY BLUE starring Zoe Lucker and Tim Pigott-Smith, and ITV1’s SWEET MEDICINE starring Patricia Hodge, Jason Merrells, and Gillian Kearney.
CHORAL COMPOSING & ARRANGING
As a composer and arranger of choral music, Mark's current role as Director of Music at All Saints' Church, Old Isleworth in West London allows him to indulge his passion for choral music by composing and arranging for the choir. Read more about this on the COMPOSITIONS page.
TECHNICAL
On the technical side, Mark has in-depth knowledge of LOGIC PRO X digital audio workstation software, SIBELIUS music notation software and FINAL CUT PRO X video editing and post production software. His studio is based around Apple Mac computers, a Soundcraft Signature 22 MTK mixing desk, and Focal Shape Twin monitor speakers.
Copyright © 2025 Mark Hinton Stewart