Mark Kelley joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1982 and is currently acting principal bassoonist. He has performed on numerous occasions as soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra. In November 2014 he and his bassoon section colleagues were featured in performances of Dietter’s Concerto for Two Bassoons, with Principal Bassoon John Miller, Jr., playing all three movements, and Kelley, J. Christopher Marshall and Norbert Nielubowski joining him for one movement each.
In 2008 Kelley was featured with three Minnesota Orchestra colleagues in performances of Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante under the direction of Sarah Hicks. In 2006 he participated in the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ Sinfonia concertante for Five Solo Instruments and Orchestra. Kelley has also played in many chamber concerts, performing works by Mozart, Poulenc, Strauss, Haydn, Glinka and Beethoven.
Kelley has served as principal bassoon with the Omaha Symphony, contrabassoon with the New Orleans Philharmonic and bassoon with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He is a committed educator, serving on the faculty of St. Olaf College and working with preschoolers in the Orchestra’s Kinder Konzerts.
A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kelley graduated from the University of Nebraska. Gary Echols, John Miller, George Goslee and Norman Herzberg were his principal instructors.