Dr. Mark Wolbers, Conductor

Mark Wolbers brings over 35 years of performance, teaching and conducting experience to his new role as conductor of the Anchorage Community Concert Band.  He started his professional music career as a public school band teacher after completing his Bachelor of Music (BM) degree “with honor” at Michigan State University in 1981.  Later, Wolbers entered into graduate studies at the University of Michigan where he was appointed the Associate Conductor of the U of M Youth Band & Wind Ensemble and earned a Master of Music (MM) degree in Woodwind Instrument Performance.  After a period as a free-lance clarinetist, and successfully winning a number of regional symphony appointments, Wolbers entered the doctoral program at the University of Michigan and was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Clarinet Performance in 1990.

Three years of college teaching in California followed at both San Jose State University and San Jose City College.  In addition to teaching clarinet and other courses, Wolbers served as conductor of the SJSU Chamber Winds for one year, and as conductor of the SJCC Concert Band for two years.  In 1992, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) where he performed, taught, and conducted the University Wind Ensemble until his exit from UAA as Emeritus Professor of Music in 2018.

With the UAA Wind Ensemble, Wolbers annually conducted 7-10 concerts in Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su.  Featured soloists included UAA wind faculty, International artists Patricia Kostek, Lynn Klock, Bradley Wong, and Timothy Smith. While on sabbatical in 2008, Mark Wolbers performed as soloist with the Wind Ensemble and presented five iconic performances of Black Dog by Scott McAllister (YouTube).  The Wind Ensemble also collaborated on two performances with the Anchorage Concert Chorus in Atwood Hall and participated in a commissioning consortium for Golden Gate by Stephen Gryc. 

Wolbers is currently the State of Alaska Chair for the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the International Clarinet Association (ICA), and former state chair for the National Band Association (NBA). He was selected to present at the CBDNA West/Northwest Conference (2016) and CBDNA National Conferences (2011, 2015). As a clarinetist he is featured on the acclaimed Alaska Pro Musica CD, Stravinsky: l”Histoire du Soldat (MSR Classics), and has been published in the peer-reviewed Music Educators Journal.  He is also an active arranger and composer.  His most widely known composition is the UAA Alma Mater.

Outside of music, Mark Wolbers currently serves as President of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association. On most summer days he can be found, along with his wife Miok, tending their East Anchorage garden and orchard.