BIOGRAPHY
To encourage, to inspire, to affirm. These sum up Mark Bani's greatest aspiration in his music making. To gladden the journey of each listener, to share the reality of the presence of our Blessed Lord--the Great Source--to Whom Mark attributes any good he sows. In this does he find purpose and joy.
Mark Bani is an artist equally at home as a liturgical musician as well as a concert organist. Whether it is composing a rousing hymn arrangement for congregational singing, preparing a major choral work, or memorizing a recital of major organ compositions, in all his endeavors, Mark embraces the motto of the great Johann Sebastian Bach, Soli Deo gloria (to God alone be glory).
Mark Bani holds the bachelor of music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, and the master of music degree as well as the doctor of musical arts degree from the Juilliard School. He was a student of Dr. John Weaver during these years. Mark's other organ instructors have included Robert Plimpton and William Evans, and improvisation with Gerre Hancock. Mark's very first music teacher was Sister Rose Miriam of the Sisters of St. Joseph. His love of music was further cultivated while singing in the men and boys choir at St. Matthew's Church in Conshohocken, PA, under the tutelage of Dr. Norman Coombs. It was the many magnificent liturgies with Dr. Coombs and the outstanding school concerts with Sister Rose that ignited within Mark the sole desire to make music his life's calling.
Mark Bani currently serves as director of music and organist at Old St. Joseph's Church, the oldest Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia. Here he directs one of the city's finest liturgical music ministries. In the 1980s, while a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, he served as an assistant organist at what was then the John Wanamaker Department Store, and now currently serves as an assistant organist at Macy’s Department Store in Philadelphia, playing weekly recitals on the Wanamaker Organ—the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world. He was director of music and organist at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church for nearly a quarter century where he developed one of the most prominent church music programs in New York City. He has also served, simultaneously, as music director at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish and at Villanova University. Other positions he held in New York City include director of music and organist at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, and as assistant organist at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and assistant organist at St. James Episcopal Church. Prior to that Mark was director of music and organist at the First Presbyterian Church of Olney in Philadelphia, and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA
Dr. Bani is available for organ recitals, hymn festivals, and for workshops relating to liturgical music.
In his spare time he enjoys gardening, hiking, fly fishing, and collecting antique furniture.
RADIO BROADCASTS
National Public Radio, broadcast on Morning Edition, “All The Stops” as organist performing on the pipe organ at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer as well as an interview with Craig Whitney of the New York Times, 6/4/2003
Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church, 5/24/1992
WNYC-FM, Public Radio, broadcast on Pipedreams as First Place Winner of the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, New York City Chapter,
WHYY-FM, Public Radio, live broadcast of organ recital, The Curtis Institute, 1/10/1983
WZOE-FM, Princeton, IL, “Open Line” (live interview as visiting artist in Princeton,IL as the first recipient of the Virgil Fox Memorial Scholarship, and presenting two recitals in memory of Virgil Fox), 10/22/1982
WNPV-AM, Lansdale, PA, live weekly broadcasts of worship services from Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, PA 1981-85
MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
The New York Times, June 22, 2002: "Another Jewel in New York's Crown of Organs"
Interviewed by Craig Whitney announcing the installation of the 68 rank Schantz gallery organ at St. Vincent Ferrer Church
Clavier magazine, March, 1995 Cover Feature: “An Interview with John Weaver” by Mark Bani
Clavier magazine, December 1997: “The View From The Organ Loft: An Interview with Arthur Birkby” by Mark Bani
HONORS AND AWARDS
American Guild of Organists National Young Artists Competition In Organ Performance
First Place Winner, New York City Chapter, 3/12/1991
1995 National Organ Playing Competition of The First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, IN, Finalist
One of four recitalists and former pupils chosen to perform for the NYC American Guild of Organists gala event honoring John Weaver with a Festive Celebration of his Life and Career, 4/10/2005 at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
First recipient of the Virgil Fox Memorial Scholarship
Performed two sold-out organ recitals and radio interview presented as part of a weekend celebration in memory of Virgil Fox in his native town, Princeton, IL, 10/24/1982
Performed for 1996 American Guild of Organists National Centennial Convention, New York City
Cover Page Photo: Max Shuppert