Composer
Other Compositions
Though Mark has composed and arranged music since he was in high school, over the past ten years, it has been both the focus and passion of his musical life. That passion drives him to write music which, in his words, is "for the greater glory of God, and the edification of souls." Mark grounds his writing firmly in the great ecclesiastical tradition of the western Church, using Gregorian Chant and the classical Roman polyphonic school, as exemplified by Giovanni da Palestrina (1525-94), as model, guide and inspiration.
Mark's repertoire of liturgical (church) compositions is wide ranging. He has written numerous Latin motets, masses and Organum Novi Mundi (a Gregorian compositional technique he has pioneered), as well as many English hymns and responses.
At this time, Mark is seeking financial support for the production of three high quality music videos and a promotional trailer. Future projects include a professional recording of his Missa "Sicut cervus" (2012), which is an imitation mass based on Palestrina's famous double motet Sicut cervus / Sitivit anima mea.
Primarily a liturgical composer, Mark also writes secular choral arrangements and art songs. His epic musical setting of Alfred Noyes' (1880-1958) classic ballad of love & death, The Highwayman, draws on Mark's experience performing the songs of Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), among others.
Mark continues to add to his extensive repertoire of musical compositions. Learn how you can assist Mark in his mission to bring souls closer to God through the creation of new compositions grounded in the great musical tradition of the west.
Teacher / Conductor / Clinician
Mark has been a private voice instructor since 1984, and a Parochial Catholic Church Choir & Schola director for over 40 years. He currently directs Schola Davidica & Chorus Faustinae at Holy Family Parish (FSSP) in Vancouver and teaches voice at Mark Donnelly's VocaArt Studio in White Rock. He has been a vocal clinician and consultant for various school, barbershop, community & church choirs (most notably, as vocal coach for the monks at Our Lady of the Annunciation Abbey in Clear Creek, Oklahoma). This summer, Mark will be leading the "professional" section at the 2019 BC Sacred Music Symposium. The Symposium will feature some of Mark's compositions.
While continuing to maintain his schedule of conducting and performing, Mark is currently developing Gregorian Chant and Seasonal Liturgical Choral Workshops. As time permits, he also offers vocal masterclasses.
Mark has taught music and mathematics at the elementary and high school level, and logic and ethics at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary (FSSP), where he worked closely with Dr. Dennis McInery. Mark is also a music and corporate keynote speaker.
Performer
Most recognized for his immensely popular appearances singing the national anthem at NHL games, Mark is commonly referred to as "Mr. O Canada". As the Signature Performer of the Vancouver Canucks, Mark has won the hearts of hockey fans and all Canadians from coast to coast by holding the microphone to the crowd and encouraging them to sing along to his solid and unabashedly patriotic version of the Canadian national anthem. Mark's also known for continuing to perform no matter what happens! Though retired from opera, Mark continues to sing at both public and private events and recitals.
About
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Mark has a Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia, and Bachelor of Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in California. Mark and his wife, Catherine, currently reside in White Rock, BC, and have been blessed with nine children and, recently, a grandson, Leo.
Compositions
The following is a partial list of compositions Mark has written:
Liturgical
- Several Masses, including the imitation mass, Missa "Sicut cervus" (2012), based on Palestrina's double motet, Sicut cervus/Sitivit anima mea
- Missa pro defunctis (Requiem) a duo, for Soprano & Tenor (2015)
- Missa "Alleluia. Magnus Dominus" (unfinished)
- Numerous motets, hymns & responsorial psalms
- Dozens of Organum Novi Mundi Chant settings
Secular
- The Highwayman (tenor & piano, 2015)
- The Burning Babe (solo voice & piano, 2017)
- Two Newfoundland Songs (2016): She's Like the Swallow (soprano & piano), Proud Nancy (soprano/tenor duet & piano)
- Many Christmas carols for SATB
- Many art, broadway & folk songs & Christmas carols for soprano & tenor
Recordings
- Carol of the Bells, Mark Donnelly & the Donnelly Family Quartet, classic and original arrangements of Christmas Carols (conductor/arranger/singer), White Rock, BC (2009)
- All Saints at Saint Michaels, (featuring Victoria's Missa "O quam gloriosum") St. Michael's Polyphonic Choir & Domus Aurea (conductor/singer), Scranton, PA (1999)
- O magnum mysterium, Domus Aurea (conductor/singer), Scranton, PA (1998)
- Songs from St. Gregory's Academy (conductor/arranger), Elmhurst, PA (1997)
- Missa pro defunctis a duo (Mark Emerson Donnelly), Colleen Donnelly (soprano), Mark Donnelly (tenor), recorded at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver, BC, (April, 2017) NOT RELEASED