Mark Thiele is the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium and at the University of Idaho. In addition to teaching the tuba and euphonium studio, he directs the Wind Ensemble, teaches conducting, and performs with the Idaho Brass Quintet. Mark is also an active clinician throughout the Pacific Northwest region, presenting clinics and guest conducting high school bands and honor bands in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana. As a member of the board of directors of the Western International Band Clinic, he has conducted the WIBC-University Intercollegiate Band.

Prior to his current position, Mark spent 21 years as a tuba player with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington D.C., where he performed with the concert band, chamber orchestra, brass quintet, tuba/euphonium quartet and numerous chamber ensembles. As a member of the band, Mark performed all across the country, as well as at the Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic, the American Bandmasters Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Convention and the Japan Band Clinic. He was also a featured soloist with the band, and served as Assistant Section Leader for the tuba section. 

While in the Washington D.C. area, Mark maintained a large and active teaching studio and directed sectionals for multiple high school and middle school band programs. He also assisted numerous high school bands and the University of Virginia Marching Band.

As a conductor, Mark participated in the Marine Band Conductor Training Program, where he had the opportunity to conduct the Marine Band in concert and work closely with the directors in masterclass settings. Mark also conducted the Wind Symphony and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble at George Mason University while pursuing his D.M.A. in conducting. He also holds degrees from James Madison University (B.M., music education) and the University of Michigan (M.M., tuba performance).