Frome Symphony

Mark Gateshill was born and brought up in South London where he began studying violin with Helen and Douglas Paterson at the age of ten. From London his family moved to Surrey where he played for Surrey County Youth Orchestra. He then went on to study Music at the University of Exeter where he led both the Symphony Orchestra 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. In September 2009 Mark took up conducting posts as Musical Director with Frome Symphony and Winscombe Orchestras. In January 2010 Mark was appointed Head of Strings and violin teacher at Bristol Cathedral Choir School. Mark currently teaches violin, coaches the string quartet and conducts the county youth orchestra for North Somerset Music Service, the North Somerset Sinfonia, with whom he has toured Germany and Poland. Mark is also a member of the funky horn, violin and oboe trio Ensemble 3 who specialise in outreach and community based projects. This is all combined with playing regularly throughout the region as a freelance violinist.