St. Louis Symphony Orchestra honors retiring Principal Flutist Mark Sparks and celebrates his 20-year tenure
(May 13, 2021, St. Louis, MO) – The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrates the career of Mark Sparks, the SLSO’s long-time Principal Flutist, who is retiring at the conclusion of the 2020/2021 season after more than 20 years with the orchestra.
Stéphane Denève, Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, said, “Since my debut with the SLSO in 2003 I have admired the immense talent and unique sound of Mark Sparks, whose warmth and musicality have always inspired me greatly. I am so very grateful for all that Mark has shared with the St. Louis region through his extraordinary tenure with this orchestra. His leadership and superb artistry not only leave an indelible mark on our orchestra, but on the entire community. As an alumnus of our spectacular Youth Orchestra, Mark serves as an inspiration to all young musicians, as he continues to lead and inspire others through his decades-long commitment to education.”
Sparks was appointed Principal Flute by the late Hans Vonk in 2000. He played under three Music Directors: Hans Vonk (2000-2002), David Robertson (2005-2018), and Stéphane Denève (2019-2021). He previously held positions in the Baltimore Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and Memphis Symphony. A frequent soloist with the SLSO, his career has taken him around the world, but his musical journey began in St. Louis as a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. An enthusiastic educator, he maintains a private studio in St. Louis, teaches at DePaul University and the Aspen Music Festival, and is a former full-time faculty member of the Peabody Institute. He frequently presents clinics and recitals in the U.S. and abroad.
In his two-decade tenure as Principal Flutist, Sparks was a featured soloist on 17 classical programs, performing flute concerti by Joseph Haydn, W.A. Mozart, Carl Nielsen, and Christopher Rouse, whose concerto he played on the SLSO’s 2013 California tour. He has also soloed on other works featuring flute by J.S. Bach, Frank Martin, Maurice Ravel, Antonio Vivaldi, and others.
He regularly appeared in the SLSO’s Live at the Pulitzer series—a collaboration with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation presenting music of the 19th and 20th centuries—performing works by Harrison Birtwistle, Pierre Boulez, Hanns Eisler, Charles Ives, Arnold Schoenberg, Torū Takemitsu, Edgard Varèse, and Claude Vivier.
A committed educator, Sparks was deeply involved in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, first as a member of the orchestra while a student at Kirkwood High School, then as a coach and mentor for many years.