Mark Sanford

Mark Sanford

Percussion Instructor
Marching Great Danes & UAlbany Spirit Band

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Mark Sanford
About

Mark Sanford is excited to be a member of the University at Albany Marching Great Danes staff. As an alum, he is particularly interested in growing the program into a community centerpiece.

Mark has been a marching percussion and visual technician for multiple programs including:  

  • Mohonasen High School Marching Band (2014 to 2020) 
  • Mohonasen Indoor Percussion Theater (2012 to 2020) 
  • Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps (2015) 
  • Excelsior Drum and Bugle Corps (2007 to 2013) 

Mark has also been a Percussion Caption Head for the Schenectady High School Marching Band (2012 to 2014) and Albany City Marching Falcons (2011 to present).   

In 2014, Mark founded Albany Indoor Percussion Ensemble. The ensemble has grown over its history to now encompass a varsity and junior varsity program with a membership of an average of 40 students per year. The ensemble has found competitive success at NYSPC, placing bronze in 2019 and silver in 2022. The ensemble also took home a gold medal during Winter Guard International's special virtual season in 2021.   

Mark’s own performing career includes:  

  • University at Albany Percussion Ensemble (2010)  
  • Excelsior Drum and Bugle Corps (2007 to 2013)  
  • Schenectady High School (2003 to 2007) 
  • Multiple cover bands  

Off campus, Mark works as a senior investigator for the New York State Department of Labor and lives in Albany with his turtle Spartacus.   

Pronouns: He/him