Associate Conductor

Dr. Mark Bartley joined the Amarillo Symphony as Associate Conductor in the summer of 2007. He is the first ASO conductor to be appointed to that position. He directs the Amarillo Youth Symphony and leads the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra in numerous children’s and holiday concerts during the season, including Kinderkonzerts and Uncorked. Bartley will also assist Music Director Kimbo Ishii-Eto in preparing the orchestra for subscription concerts.

Bartley joined the faculty at West Texas A&M University in fall 2006 to serve as Director of Orchestral Activities.  He also teaches conducting and symphonic literature courses, and supervises student teachers.  Prior to this appointment, Bartley served on the faculty of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts where he was the director of the Orchestra and the Chorale, and taught conducting courses.  During his six years in the Northeast, he conducted ensembles from Cornell, Yale, Boston University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the New England Conservatory.  In July 2004, he was selected as a fellow with the Conductors Institute and traveled to China to direct the China Opera and Dance Symphony Orchestra (Beijing) and the Harbin Opera Orchestra. 

Prior to moving to Massachusetts, Bartley directed various academic, religious, and community musical organizations in Austin, Houston, and George West, Texas.  He earned a DMA in conducting from Boston University and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas.  He is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator, with previous engagements as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.