Mr. Gowman's Professional Biography

Hi there. I'm your teacher, or your kid's teacher, or just some guy with a website if you've joined us from some far-away land through the magic of the internet. Two things have always defined me in my pursuit of a career: I am a musician, and I am a teacher. I would be content to do either, but I am lucky enough to do both. Teaching music is my passion, and I hope I have helped and continue to help the students and community of East Rochester to discover the joy, artistry, discipline, pride, excellence, community, and so much more that we gain from studying music.

Mark Gowman has been the 7-12 instrumental music instructor in the East Rochester School District since 2001. A 1995 graduate of the University of Michigan, Mr. Gowman received his degree in music education and trumpet performance and performed as a member of the UM Concert & Symphony Bands, Campus Orchestra, hockey pep band, and basketball pep bands. In the Michigan Marching Band he was 1st trumpet, and his solo in Malagueña was broadcast nationwide at halftime of the Rose Bowl; the following year, he became the only multi-instrumentalist to ever qualify on snare drum in the elite Michigan Drumline. Prior to his time at Michigan, Mr. Gowman was named 1st chair trumpet in the Michigan All-State Band, All-State Jazz Band, and All-State Symphony and, during his senior year of high school, tied with two other students for the highest score in the state on any instrument at the state-wide solo festival. He was also named outstanding soloist at several jazz festivals. For eight years (ages 12-20), Mr. Gowman performed as a member of the 1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps as both a fifer and snare drummer, and that experience continues to influence his interest in folk musics and percussion. While in college, Mr. Gowman worked as a music, marching, or drumline instructor with eight different high school bands, including a State Champion (Algonac, MI) and a National Champion (Plymouth Centennial). He started his professional teaching career in a small Michigan district before moving to Baltimore, Maryland. After two years in Baltimore County, Mr. Gowman was named department chairman of the largest music program in that district, and was also one of only twelve music teachers (of 400) invited to write the new eighth grade music curriculum that has since been used by more than 110,000 students. Since coming to East Rochester, he has overseen the development of the music technology lab and recording studio, and has created both the popular Percussion Ensemble and Celtic Music Society, our unique and nationally-recognized Irish music program. Mr. Gowman regularly presents workshops on Irish music and music education, including numerous sessions at the Eastman School of Music, the Hochstein School, and Nazareth College; the 2003 and 2004 NYSSMA state music teacher conferences; and the 2006 Music Educators National Conference in Salt Lake City. Mr. Gowman received his Master of Arts in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music in 2007, and is honored to have received the East Rochester PTA Distinguished Service Award in 2010. When not making music, he loves hiking and traveling with his family and riding his mountain bike, but crashes much more than he should.