Mark Sheridan is a Research Co-ordinator in the Department of Creative and Aesthetic Studies, University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus, Glasgow. He had a longer than usual period as the successful Head of Department at Creative and Aesthetic Studies.
At the university, he headed the design and launch of the BA in Applied Music. He is a Director of the European Youth Jazz Festival and is co-ordinator for debates and lecture programme for the annual Celtic Connections Festival at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Mark is a composer and premiered his work “The Curve of the Earth” with Alasdair Fraser, Brolum, Phamie Gow and Ishbel Macaskill at Glasgow Cathedral during the Celtic Connections Festival in 2002 and with Julie Fowlis at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2002.
For the opening night of Celtic Connections 2005, Mark premiered a new piece of work with piper Fred Morrison called ‘Paracas – A Rhapsody of the Gael’. The work received great acclaim with reviews in the quality Scottish press. For Celtic Connections 2007, Mark conducted in the Main Auditorium of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall the ‘Celtic Connections Youth Concert’.
He has been involved in supporting the traditional music scene in Scotland and cultural matters relating to Scotland and the Celtic nations through his involvement with Celtic Connections Festival since 1994.
He designed the first degree in Scotland to take traditional musicians into a degree programme (the BA Applied Music) in 1993 in advance of the RSAMD. Some of his alumni include Brolum, Alasdair MacCulloch, Julie Fowlis, Martin O’Neil, Anna Massie, Sarah Naylor, Ruaridh Campbell and Rachel Hair and members of Skerryvore.
Mark Sheridan has worked at the University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus since 1990 following 11 years as teacher, principal teacher and then staff tutor in education in schools.
He is a consultant to Feisean nan Gaidheal, the Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow, the Scottish Qualification Authority and the Traditional Music Tutor Forum and is a director of Celtic Music Radio Ltd.
Mark Sheridan presents Homeward Bound on Tuesdays 4.00-6.00pm which includes arts and culture reviews, guests and news from Glasgow’s Concert Halls.
