Mark Ford was born in Melbourne on 29 March, 1962. He commenced studying music and playing the cornet at the age of seven.

In 1986 Mark left his position as a toolmaker to commence a career in music education. He has remained involved in education in various capacities from this time, and is a well-known and highly respected educator.

Mark has been a music teacher in Victorian Schools for over 15 years; his current appointment is at Wesley College. Mark has been a most sought-after educationalist and many schools and students have benefited from his services. In addition to his regular teaching, managerial and administrative duties, he has prepared many students for examinations and musical competitions. A number of school music directors have sought his counsel in preparations for major eisteddfods and competition performances. He has been involved extensively as a brass examiner and as an adjudicator at most major music festivals.

Mark has also taught and educated in tertiary institutions. In 1997 he was lecturer/conductor of brass band at The Victorian College of the Arts. He was lecturer in brass at The University of Melbourne in 1999.

Mark was assistant musical director of the Victorian State Youth Band from 1987-1993 and was Director of Music of the Queensland State Youth Brass Band for its 1998-1999 seasons. In 2005, he was appointed principal conductor and musical advisor to Melbourne Honours Brass.

Mark is an internationally renowned conductor of bands. In 1984 he was appointed Musical Director of the Greater Bendigo Concert Brass Band, a position he held from 1984-1996. In 1996, Mark took on the Principal Conductor position with the Kew Band and with that band won two Australian Championship titles in 1998 and 2000. Kew Band won State Championship titles in three states in 1998, the first band in Australia's history to do so.

In 1999, Mark directed the Kew Band on a ground-breaking tour of Japan as guests of the All Japan Brass Band Festival. In 2001, Mark accepted an invitation to travel to the Netherlands to conduct Brass Band de Waldsang in the Euro-Brass (Survento) contest. Brass Band de Waldsang won the Championship section of this prestigious contest under his baton.

His reputation as one of Australia's finest directors of bands was acknowledged in 2001, when he was appointed Principal Conductor of 'Australian Brass' (National Band of Australia) for its 2001 season. Also in 2001, Mark was nominated for the position of Conductor in Australia's Band World Magazine 'Band of the Century'. In 2004, he was named principal conductor of the Australian National Band to compete in the inaugural World Brass Band Championship in Kerkrade, Holland in 2005.

He is also a renowned soloist who has won many Local, State and National Championship titles. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist have seen him win major titles on a number of instruments He was principal trumpet in The University of Melbourne Wind Ensemble from 1994-1998.

Mark Ford is widely known as an energetic, innovative and passionate musician with vision and flair, who has considerable experience at a high level as both a musician and educator.