Dr. Mark Ammons, Assistant Director of the School of Music and Director of BYU Musicians’ Institute and SummerFestival, received his Bachelor of Music degree at Brigham Young University in trombone performance, with a minor in French. He completed his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in trombone performance at the University of Southern California.
Prior to his administration at Brigham Young University, Dr. Ammons was both Music Department Chairman and Acting Dean of the Division of Fine Arts at Snow College, Ephraim, UT. He has previously taught at colleges and universities in Missouri, Illinois, and California.
Dr. Ammons’ current administrative responsibilities in the BYU School of Music include:
- oversight and administration of all aspects of student support including admissions and scholarships
- oversight of the ongoing development and management of the School's external image including its website and social media pages
- oversight and management of the new and developing live-streaming of concerts and recitals and the worldwide outreach of the School of Music
- advancement efforts to secure ongoing scholarship funding and endowments
- alumni outreach and relationship building
- oversight of facilities
In addition to these administrative responsibilities, Mark teaches evening sections of classes in the Commercial Music program as well as general education. He directs the BYU Jazz Ensemble, coaches a jazz combo, and teaches Introduction to Music. He is the director of the annual BYU summer music camps – the Musicians’ Institute and Musicians’ SummerFestival.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ammons has performed as a professional trombonist as well as singer and actor. He has performed with the Utah Symphony, Utah Chamber Orchestra, Ballet West Orchestra, Utah Trombone Authority, Orchestra at Temple Square, Utah Premiere Brass, and as a freelance jazz and recording artist. He has been a featured soloist throughout the United States and Europe with the Utah Premiere Brass, the Contemporary Music Ensemble of USC, the University of Utah Trombone Ensemble, the Snow College Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, and the Orchestra at Temple Square.
He has performed lead roles in operas, musicals, and plays including The Mikado, Die Fledermaus, The Barber of Seville, Enchanted April, Barefoot in the Park, and The Fall of the House of Usher. His recording and national/international broadcast experience includes multiple recordings and broadcasts with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Utah Trombone Authority, as well as local, regional, and national film scores and commercials.
Education:
DMA, University of Southern California
MM, University of Southern California
BM, Brigham Young University