Mark is a member of the infamous Peacock/Taylor clan from Tyldesley,Manchester a
family steeped in the tradition of brass banding.
Ray Peacock who spent 30 years on the cornet rank at Faireys is Mark's father
whilst younger brother Stuart played percussion at Faireys for a number of years.
Ray married Margaret Taylor sister of Brian Taylor (principal cornet of Faireys for
many years)John taylor (Black Dyke and Faireys) and Robert now the conductor of the
Tyldesley Band.
At a young age Mark received lessons from his granddad Charlie Taylor who is well
known for teaching hundreds of youngsters in the Tyldesley area.
He started playing in the Salvation Army band before moving onto Flugel Horn and
Tyldesley Band which was conducted by Mark's uncle Brian Peacock, before moving to
Bedford Leigh.
Mark was also a member of the Wigan Metro Youth Brass Band that visited Australia
in 1988.
Mark studied music at Salford University with David King,Roy Newsome, Peter Graham
and John Hudson.
He joined Kennedy's Swinton Band on Flugel in 1990.
Mark became the first “brass bander”to graduate with a first class honours degree
in 1992 and joined the newly formed Yorkshire Building Society enjoying many
successes on the contest field.
Mark left YBS in 1996 and one week later jumped at the opportunity to join his
dream band Williams Fairey on second cornet and finally realising his banding
ambition to play with Dad, Brother and uncle Brian in the famous blue uniform.
Mark was asked to take some rehearsals and a concert with Pemberton in January 2004
and to take the band to the Brass at the Guild contest in Preston.
The band gained first prize taking some noticeable scalps and then repeated the
result at the North West Area contest(First Section) at Blackpool.
Other contest successes followed at the JJB March and Hymn Tune contest and
Rhyl Entertainments before the band became National Champions of Great Britain
(First Section)in September 2004.
Mark married Alison Ward in 1999 who is also a keen musician playing baritone
for Sellers for many years they now have two young sons.
Mark Peacock