Mark Cheyne

BIO

Mark Cheyne is an award-winning Composer, Music Producer, Music Arranger and Musical Director with nearly 3 decades of experience. He is the Director of Aaross Music, which he incorporated in 2005, which operates from Johannesburg, South Africa. Mark has enjoyed a diverse career working mostly in South Africa, but also in other African countries, as well as in Thailand.

Mark composed the score for the full length ballet "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" produced by the Joburg Ballet company, performed by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, which premiered at the Joburg Theatre in October 2024. He was the main composer and music arranger for the full length ballet "The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe", performed by the Gauteng Chamber Orchestra, produced by Mzansi Ballet company which had its premiere at the South African State Theatre in April 2023. Mark is the composer and music arranger for "Third World Express", a musical written and choreographed by Gregory Maqoma, which premiered in September 2022 at the Joburg Theatre.

Mark is in demand as a musical director and has brought many an audience to a standing ovation in music concerts, shows and corporate events with the Electric Pops Orchestra. Mark composes original music for TV and radio commercials and corporate events, as well as corporate songs. Mark won a Loerie Craft Award for his compositions for the BMW 7 Series Launch in 2002. Clients include many blue-chip companies including ABSA, Altron, Coca-Cola, Discovery, Emperors Palace, EOH, First National Bank, Massmart, Mercedes-Benz, MTN, Momentum, Netcare, Samsung, SAP, Sasol, Standard Bank and Vodacom.

Mark is a prolific symphonic arranger, and his arrangements have been performed throughout South Africa and internationally. The album 'The Boundless Music of the Soul Brothers' - Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, was nominated for a South African Music Award in 2011.

4 albums produced by him have received SAMA nominations: 'Mintirho ya SJ Khosa' - KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (2015), 'And Then I Heard a Voice' - Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society (2017), Matimba Ya Vuyimbeleri – University of Limpopo Choristers and The Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (2018) and University of Limpopo Choristers & Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra - Africa Tivule (2019).

For more info go to www.aaross.co.za