J. Mark Thompson is Professor of Music at Northwestern State University. He holds degrees from Murray State University, University of Southern California, and University of Iowa; his teachers include Ray Conklin, John Hill, George Krem, Charles Vernon, and Arnold Jacobs. A charter life member of the ITA, Dr. Thompson chairs its Advisory Council on Literature and served a six-year term on its Board of Advisers. Editor and co-author of French Music for Low Brass Instruments, he also produced Solos for the Student Trombonist, 2d ed. Dr. Thompson was a featured soloist with the South Arkansas Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, and the U.S. Army Orchestra, and he was a Participant at the Alessi Seminar. Formerly Principal Bass Trombone of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he performs with the Shreveport Symphony, Drei Bones (trombone trio), I-49 Brass Quintet, South Arkansas Symphony, Lancaster Festival, and Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestras.