Mark Francis

Executive Director

Mark Francis’ musical career has varied from teaching, composing and performing to orchestral administration.  He is beginning his first season as Executive Director of the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as Director of Education and Librarian for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Director of Education and Community Outreach for The Florida Orchestra and Assistant House Manager at Spivey Hall at Clayton State University in Georgia.  While with the Mississippi Symphony and The Florida Orchestra he was able to expand the reach of the orchestra into underserved communities and expanding each orchestra’s audience.  He holds a D.M.A. in composition from the University of Kentucky and has taught at Mississippi State University, University of Kentucky, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, Centenary College, Northwestern State University, Emory University, Agnes Scott College and Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex.  He has received 10 ASCAP Standard Awards and 5 ASCAPlus Awards for his compositions.  His works have been performed internationally and have been part of the Corcoran Gallery Contemporary Music Series in Washington, D.C.  The Jackson State University Orchestra premiered his composition on the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., The Trumpet of Conscience, at the Library of Congress in 2007.  Dr. Francis performs on guitar and mandolin, most recently as part of the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra.