Hughes is currently Principal Trumpet of the Houston Symphony, a position he has held since 2006. He has appeared as a soloist with the HSO on several occasions, including performances of Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Trumpet in 2008 and 2016, both performances being heard nationally on American Public Media’s “Symphony Cast.” He has also performed the Haydn and Hummel Trumpet Concertos with the HSO, as well as Copland’s Quiet City, the Hovhaness Prayer of St. Gregory and Clarke’s Carnival of Venice. Mark has appeared as guest Principal Trumpet with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Quebec, and KBS (Seoul) Symphony Orchestras, toured and recorded with the CSO, and performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony. He continues to be in demand as a soloist both with orchestras and in recital, as well as teaching masterclasses across the U.S. and abroad.

Hughes studied at Northwestern University with the late Vincent Cichowicz of the Chicago Symphony. After graduation, he was selected to be in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where he was a scholarship student with Adolph Herseth, the legendary Principal Trumpet of the CSO. Mark then began touring with Richard Morris as the popular organ and trumpet duo, Toccatas and Flourishes, performing throughout the U.S. and Canada. His appointment as Associate Principal Trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra followed, a position he held for 12 years.

Mark is currently on the faculty of the University of Houston and the Texas Music Festival.