Central North Carolina Chapter Dean  (2019-2024)

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Mark, a native of Lumberton, began his education at East Carolina University in North Carolina where he studied organ, harp, and flute. His graduate studies carried him to Chicago and the American Conservatory and then on to a full scholarship at the Paris Conservatory where he studied harp with Pierre Jamet, organ with Marcel Dupré, and composition with Nadia Boulanger.  Returning to the United States, Mark became organist for the Boston Symphony and Artist in Residence to the John Hayes Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA where he played weekly concerts on the largest residence pipe organ in the world. International Artists Records signed Mark in 1974 and he moved to New York City to continue his concert and recording career. 2005 brought Mark to the Seattle area where he is the host for the weekly television show, "Crescendo." Andersen’s musical compositions have twice won the International Composer’s Competition (1976 and 1999) and he has had two prestigious awards granted to him during  his career:  In 1976 Senator John C Stennis had the US Flag flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in honor of Mark’s contributions to the world of music in America; in 1986 Mark received North Carolina’s highest arts award, The North Carolina State Award for Excellence, bestowed by Governor James G. Martin.  Dr. Andersen has twice been dean of the American Guild of Organists and was recently the president of the American Harp Society, Greater Seattle Chapter.  The New York Times is quoted “Mark gives life to music” in reviewing his first concert at Carnegie Hall (1978.) As a composer Mark has twice won the International Composer’s Competition in Amsterdam, Holland. In addition to the classical side of Mark's endeavors he has also written the musical score for several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including "Widow's Waltz", "Best Friends", and "The Woman They Love to Hate". His musical scores have also been heard in movies and on television for many years. In Seattle Mark continued to compose, teach harp, and present monthly concerts as Artist in Residence to Daniels Recital Hall in Seattle, WA. Mark has recently returned to Lumberton and continues his work as a concert artist and composer. His piano composition “The River’s Wrath” dedicated to the victims of hurricane Matthew won the 2017 National Piano Teacher’s Guild award for original composition. His composition for Soprano, Trumpet, and Organ “And the Angel Said” premiered this past Christmas on the new organ at Flora Macdonald College (now Highlander Academy) has won several awards from noted critical acclaim. His most recent compositions include over 200 published works for organ available on line through Sheet Music Direct  and Sheet Music Plus, both divisions of Hal Leonard publications.  International Artists Publications on Youtube features many of these new organ compositions

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Mark hosts and performs on the weekly television program Crescendo! which continues to air from Seattle and New York across the USA and is currently organist/choirmaster for Trinity Episcopal Church in Lumberton, NC.  He also serves as Chapter Specialist Representative for the National American Guild of Organists.  Mark continues to teach a selective group of students, many of whom have been Cooper-Miller Scholarship winners.