Mark Foley

Dr. Mark Foley is a Professor of Double Bass and Electric Bass at Wichita State University's College of Fine Arts, School of Music. He serves as Principal Double Bassist of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and is active in diverse musical genres including jazz, rock, and bluegrass. Foley founded the Knob Festival of New Music, an annual event showcasing contemporary compositions. He holds degrees from the University of Minnesota, Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where his doctoral work uncovered an unpublished double bass concerto by an 18th-century Viennese composer.

Education:

• Doctorate in Music Performance, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
• Master's in Music Performance, Eastman School of Music
• Bachelor's in Music Performance, University of Minnesota

Research & Performance: Foley's expertise spans classical, jazz, and experimental music. He performs on an 1810 Gagliano double bass and actively composes electronic music. His teaching emphasizes technique, improvisation, and interdisciplinary approaches, as detailed in blogs about pedagogical strategies with luminaries like Adam Linz and Chris Bates.

Honors & Grants: While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to music education and performance are recognized through his roles in festivals, orchestras, and academic leadership.

Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Knob Festival and collaborates with Wichita's jazz and rock scenes, maintaining active engagement in music communities through workshops and masterclasses.