Mark Pickles is currently the Corps Director for Northern Star Drum & Bugle Corps. Mark has been a continuous member of the Star staff since 1997 and has been director since 2000.



Mark began his Drum Corps career in 1988 with the Lancastrians as a Bass player. Since then he has marched and taught several groups though out the UK.



In 1994 Mark Pickles marched with the Crossmen where they placed 7th at DCI world championships. In 1996 he made a second trip to the US to march with the Sprit of Atlanta from Atlanta, Georgia. As well as Spirit Mark was a member of Escape Percussion, an Indoor Percussion Ensemble who took part in the WGI World Championships in Dayton Ohio.



Since returning from the US Mark Pickles has been heavily involved with Northern Stars Percussion programme as well as being a Coordinator for the Corps.



Mark Pickles believes one of the best things about the activity is the fine people you meet and the friendships you form. Seeing the kids grow as performers and the product improve over the course of the year is a very exiting and rewarding experience indeed.