Mark Gateshill, Conductor
Mark was born and brought up in South London where he started studying violin with Helen and Douglas Paterson at the age of ten. From London his family moved to Surrey where he played for several area youth orchestras including Surrey County Youth Orchestra. He then went on to study Music at the University of Exeter where he led both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, it was through these ensembles that he was given the opportunity to start conducting on a regular basis - including conducting the Chamber Orchestra on their tour of Estonia. On graduating, Mark took up a post as a Graduate Music Assistant at Wells Cathedral School for two years.
Mark is currently Head of Strings at Bristol Cathedral Choir School where he teaches violin, coaches chamber music and conducts the String Orchestra. He also conducts the county youth orchestra for North Somerset Music Service, the North Somerset Sinfonia.
Mark is also a member of the funky horn, violin and oboe trio Ensemble3, who specialise in outreach and community based projects. In September 2009 Mark took up conducting posts with Frome Symphony and Winscombe Orchestra. This is all combined with playing regularly throughout the region as a freelance violinist.
