His work, "Cycle," notably received a prestigious award from Boston Opera, while his album, "Mark Andrew Cook Jazz Live," became highly regarded in jazz circles.
HEDGESVILLE, WV, September 20, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mark Andrew Cook, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Cook, a distinguished musician, composer, author and retired professor of music theory and composition, has dedicated over five decades to the field of music. Since 2010, he has remained affiliated with South Mountain Music, contributing to the music world through his compositions and performances.
Launching his career in education in 1985, Dr. Cook began teaching as a professor of music at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. For over 15 years, he taught and inspired students while laying the foundation for his future music education and composition endeavors. Dr. Cook joined the Catholic University of America in 2000 as the music theory and jazz ensemble director, further honing his expertise in jazz studies and music theory until 2005. He was subsequently recruited by Shepherd University as an associate professor of music from 2005 to 2022, where he continued to educate students in the field of music.
Dr. Cook's creative output as an artist includes numerous acclaimed compositions, such as "Sundogs A Concert Overture for Orchestra," "Symphony for Wind Ensemble" and "Waking, Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano." His work, "Cycle," notably received a prestigious award from Boston Opera, while his album, "Mark Andrew Cook Jazz Live," became highly regarded in jazz circles. Throughout his career, Dr. Cook has also been actively engaging in musical performances, including playing the piano with various groups and making public appearances. He also had the opportunity to perform with the original members of The Drifters and The Coasters, renowned for their contributions to music history.
Dr. Cook's academic journey is extensive and includes a bachelor's degree in music education from The Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University in 1978, a Master of Arts in music theory from the Catholic University of America in 1990 and a Doctor of Philosophy in music theory, composition and conducting from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama and Art at the Catholic University of America in 2004.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Cook has been actively involved in various industry-related organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the American Federation of Musicians and the Society for Music Theory. He has also served on executive boards for the International Association for Jazz Education and its eastern regional conference. Dr. Cook's civic affiliations include involvement with Saint John's Episcopal Parish Vestry and Music Concert Committee and community initiatives, like the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and annual food drives at Shepherd University.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cook has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to music and education. He received presidential recognition from President George H.W. Bush for his service, was honored with the Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and was named as the West Virginia Music Teachers Association's Commissioned Composer of the Year. He was also a finalist in the master composer category from International Music Prizes in Composition.
As Dr. Cook transitions from teaching duties, he plans to focus on composing and playing music while considering the possibility of writing books. His remarkable career is a testament to his dedication to music education and composition, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of music, inspiring countless students and musicians along the way.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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