Mark Hughes is presently in his 2nd season as Principal Trumpet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He came to the Houston Symphony from the Atlanta Symphony, where he had been the Associate Principal Trumpet for 12 years. Prior to his Atlanta Symphony appointment, Hughes toured for Columbia Artists Management with the popular organ and trumpet duo, “Toccatas and Flourishes,” where he had the distinction of performing in all 48 contiguous states as well as in portions of Canada. Hughes graduated from Northwestern University, where he studied with Vincent Cichowicz. Upon completion of his degree, he was a scholarship student with Adolph Herseth while being a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Mark and his wife Marilyn now reside in Bellaire, TX with their two children, Thomas and Caroline.

What is your earliest musical memory?
My first musical memory is singing in church, my first orchestral memory is going to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra playing an education concert when I was in 3rd grade. I heard the Ives “Variations on America” and I loved the cornet solo on first hearing. I dreamed of being able to play it one day. I was able to live out that dream when I played the solo my first year in the ASO on July 4th many years ago!

If you weren’t a professional musician, what would you be?
College professor or aircraft pilot.

What’s the last piece you listened to on your iPod?
Classical – Bruckner 7, Jazz – Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Pop – Frankie Valli, Gladys Knight, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett.