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| Ensembles > BandBio |
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| | Master Sergeant Mark Craig | |
Master Sergeant Mark A. Craig is a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He also serves as the unit's staff arranger and as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the band's music library.
Sergeant Craig began his music career studying at J. J. Pearce High School, in Richardson, Texas under Forest Aten and Tom Bennett. He was selected for the Texas All-State Symphonic Band three years in a row, and then went on to study at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Music. During his college career, he studied with Steve Girko, former Principal Clarinetist with the Dallas Symphony, and Dr. James Gillespie, from the University of North Texas.
Master Sergeant Craig has performed with such notable artists as Bernadette Peters, John Houseman, Stephen Sondheim, Chip Zien, Debra Monk, Donald Hunsberger, Frank Bencriscutto, The Lettermen, The Mills Brothers, The Four Aces, and Kim Nazarian, of the New York Voices, He's also performed throughout Europe with several ensembles including a Concert Band, Woodwind Quintet, Clarinet Quartet, Ceremonial Marching Band, and Wings of Dixie Dixieland Ensemble.
Immediately prior to joining the Air Force Band of the Golden West in September 2008, Sergeant Craig was stationed with the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band in Sembach, Germany for five years, where he traveled to 36 countries throughout Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. He has also been a member of the USAF Band of Liberty, at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, performing all over New England and New York State.
Master Sergeant Craig works hard on improving his skills in photography and composition. He is a recent graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, where he completed their Professional Course in Digital Photography. He's also studying arranging, and recently completed an arranging seminar at the Music Technology Retreat in Carson, WA, with Mike Klinger. He is an accomplished arranger for the Air Force Band program, writing musical arrangements for woodwind quintet, brass quintet, clarinet quartet, and small chamber ensembles. His unique arrangements have been performed in all nine of the Air Force Field Bands, as well as the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, and the U.S. (Army) Military Academy Band at West Point. He has also volunteered his off-duty time, working with diverse groups such as JUST US in Landstuhl, Germany, a U.S. Air Force support service for wounded warriors returning from deployed service, and AIDS Action Committee in Boston, MA.
Sergeant Craig's military awards include the Leadership Award at Airman Leadership School, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star device, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
(Current as of Jan 2013)
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