Music

Words and Music with Terry Waite

Reading Time: 10 minutes Mark organised a small fundraising event for Emmaus UK some years ago, whilst in prison. Terry Waite CBE, President of the charity, invited Mark to curate an afternoon of ‘Words and Music’ with him, reflecting upon a selection of moving poems from his new book, ‘Out of the Silence‘. We’ve...

colorful flowers in vase on table

The Suppliant’s Song – a Hymn written in prison

Reading Time: < 1 minute   Mark’s faith has been an important source of strength for him in prison. Many have been moved by Mark’s music in Church, where he plays the piano and violin for the weekly services. Mark wrote this special prayer for the prison choir, which speaks not only to his own...

Mark awarded DipABRSM – Singing Diploma in Prison

Reading Time: 4 minutes Mark studied for his Diploma in Music Performance (DipABRSM) whilst in prison, achieving a Merit. He was the first person to have ever attempted an exam at this level in prison. On a sunny afternoon in July, two examiners from the Royal Schools of Music traveled up to Leicester to...

Mark achieves Grade 8 Piano in Prison

Reading Time: 2 minutes After a year of study, Mark sat his grade 8 piano exam in prison, passing with Merit. Two diplomas and two degrees later, Mark is still looking for ways to stretch himself, and defy the apparent limitations of his circumstances. His latest project is developing a PhD research proposal. When...