12/27/2017
Requiem aeternam Mark Jones
February 25, 1957 - December 24, 2017
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Mark Jones who passed away the morning of December 24th following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mark was for many years Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church (The Pink Church) in Pompano Beach, where he also administrated one of South Florida's major concert venues, the Spire Series. He took great pride in the recent addition of a new console for the pipe organ at First Presbyterian Church and especially enjoyed hosting the annual Halloween organ concerts which were part of this concert series. Mark was a highly cherished member and supporter of our South Florida chapters of the American Guild of Organists.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Mark studied organ with Dr. Marilyn Keiser and with Donna Robertson at nearby Mars Hill College. Additional coaching or private study was with notables Dame Gillian Weir, Dr. Gerre Hancock, Dr. Steven Williams, Dr. David Craighead, Frederick Swan, Todd Wilson, Martin Jean and Dr. Alec Wyton. His former posts include: St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Pompano Beach, FL; First Presbyterian, Newton, NC; and historic Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Asheville.
A frequent South Florida performer as recitalist, accompanist or as an adjudicator or composer, Jones appeared with the Florida Philharmonic, the Boca Pops, the New World Symphony, the Lynn University Conservatory Orchestra, the Young Artists Chamber Orchestra, the Palm Beach Atlantic Symphony and the Miami Bach Society as well as solo performances in churches, and in collaborations with chamber groups and area choruses, including the Florida Philharmonic Chorus, the Master Chorale of South Florida, the Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches, and the Ft. Lauderdale Christian Chorale. He also performed with virtuoso saxophonist Andrea Gilbert in their duo "Classical Sax." Jones arranged music for organ and brass and performed with the Dallas Brass, the Avatar Brass, the Empire Brass, the Lynn Conservatory Brass and the Eastman Brass. Jones performed extensively on many famous and historic instruments across Europe, Scandinavia and Russia in collaborations with the Gold Coast Ringers and the Treasure Coast Ringers.
Jones's organ preludes have been performed widely across the US and in Europe and have been broadcast on National Public Radio's "Pipedreams". His Three Lenten Hymn Meditations, published by Morningstar Music Publishers have been recorded by Dr. Marilyn Keiser on her CDs "Spiritual Pairs" (Pro Organo) and "Centennial Flourishes," (Organ Historical Society) recorded on the Harrison and Harrison organ at St. James Church, Hendersonville, NC. Jones's Trumpet Tune in D (published by Randall Egan) is recorded by organist Lucia Clemente-Falco on the "Great Organs of Worcester" CD. Additional compositions by Mark Jones are available from Morningstar Music Publishers, Randall Egan Music Company, and Colla Voce Music.
In 2006, Mark was appointed principal accompanist for the von Trapp Children, the remarkably gifted great-grandchildren of the singing family made famous by the Rodgers and Hammerstein movie The Sound of Music. Jones' solo appearances and concerts with the von Trapps in recent seasons have included performances in Montana, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Colorado, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas, the Philippines, Canada, South Korea, and Great Britain. Jones's television appearances have included live broadcasts on Good Morning Asia and on The Joy of Music with Diane Bish.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, January 5th from 6-9 p.m. at Kraeer Funeral Home (1199 E. Sample Road Pompano Beach, FL 33064). On Saturday January 6th, visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach (2331 NE 26th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL. 33062). The memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6th in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church (The Pink Church). In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Mark may make a donation in his name to First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach.
