Described by Classical Guitar Magazine as 'an outstanding guitarist/composer', Mark Houghton was born in Liverpool in 1959 and began playing guitar at the age of 7. He was initially tutored by his father. His family showed a general interest in music and his brother Graeme showed talent as a Jazz drummer and percussionist.
Mark made his stage debut at the age of 12 and became a regular stage performer throughout the Northwest of England at this time. In the late 1970's his regular stage work led to several vinyl recordings, playing electric and Classical guitars.
From 1988, Mark studied Classical guitar with Stanley Yates and during this period received private tuition from Stepan Rak on the performance of Rak's music.
From 1996, after becoming a member of the Hoylake Chamber Music Society, Mark combined an intensive study of chamber music repertoire (primarily string ensemble and piano trio) with the production of several hundred arrangements for guitar ensemble. He also produced his first original compositions for guitar.
Mark was also awarded an Associate Diploma in guitar performance from the London College of Music (for which, after receiving high pass marks, he was chosen to play at the annual Lloyd-Webber Concert - the only guitarist to do so).
In August 2000 Mark won the Chris Kilvington Memorial Prize - held at Dillington Music Festival and Summer School - for his guitar quartet 'Symphonic Dance No. 1' which was subsequently published by Corda Music Publications and performed at the Dillington Festival.
Mark has several original works for one, two, three and four guitars published by Lathkill Music, which also includes two volumes of Baroque arrangements for guitar duo. Mark also has solo pieces included in the Stanley Yates Repertoire Series (published by Mel Bay).
In 2003, Mark's works have been given first performances by internationally acclaimed guitarist/ music scholar Stanley Yates (Sonatina Op. 39), Appassionata Trio (Sonata Andaluz Op. 30), Milena & Valentin Valchev Guitar Duo (Phantasy Op. 42) and Bleasdale/Heywood Guitar Duo (Impressions Op. 41), the latter naming their debut CD after the premiered works, 'Impressions'. Recently, a chamber work for Flute, Guitar, Cello and percussion was commissioned by the Italian virtuoso guitarist Eros Roselli.
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