By M.J. Alexander
Markβ―Edwardβ―Parker, who elevated ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs schools of theatre and music into the ranks of top performing arts schools, has announced he will retire June 30, 2025, after 35 years of leadership.β―
He arrived at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ in 1990 as the director of instrumental programs and conductor of the orchestra, band, opera and musicals. In his five years on the faculty, he twice was honored as faculty member of the year. In 1995, he was named dean of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs School of Music and Performing Arts, and in 2004 appointed dean of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs School of Theatre.β―
Over the decades, he transformed both schools into international leaders in the fusion of arts, technology and creativity.β―During his tenure, the Wanda L. Bass School of Music doubled its square footage, to more than 200,000, and nearly doubled its enrollment, to more than 350 music majors. The Department of Theatre, which had 33 majors when he became dean, was elevated to the School of Theatre and has increased enrollment seven-fold to 240 students.
β΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ has always enjoyed a reputation of excellence in the performing arts, but Dean Parker has taken it to another level,β said Jane Jayroe Gamble, chair of the universityβs board of trustees and the first of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs three alumnae to be crowned Miss America. βIt is remarkable the degree of success that ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ students have attained under Mark's leadership, not just on the national and international stages but in schools and universities around the world.β
In January, Parker was honored with the Oklahoma Music Educators 2025 Presidentβs Award for contributions to music education.
Among his achievements: transforming ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ into an All-Steinway School, with 144 Steinway pianos now at home in the Bass School. Over the years, he worked with patron Wanda Bass, who gifted $40 million to the school that now bears her name. Inspired by his vision, Bass made the largest purchase in Steinway history: 105 pianos, an order that made headlines globally.
Under Parkerβs leadership, ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ created an innovative Master of Fine Arts in Screen Acting degree where graduate students study one year in Los Angeles and one year in London at Goldsmiths University. As ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs Ann Hundley Hoover Chair, he forged partnerships with the Paderewski Academy in Poland and Israelβs Hed College of Contemporary Music in Tel Aviv. He has traveled to China more than two dozen times, including leading a pioneering 2004 five-city tour by the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Orchestra.
His work in China and partnership with the Central Academy of Drama prompted ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½βs invitation as the only North American member of the World Theatre Educational Alliance, a coalition of 14 theatre schools from around the globe that meet in Beijing for a biennial theatre festival.
Parker has created artistic partnerships between ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ and the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras, Canterbury Voices, El Sistema Oklahoma and Oklahoma Childrenβs Theatre.
He was presented the stateβs highest arts honor, the Governorβs Arts Award, in 2002 and last April was inducted into the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ School of Theatre Hall of Honor. He was recently reappointed as visiting professor of music at Chinaβs Hunan Normal University and joined the board of directors for the Bangkok-based International Wind Ensemble Academy and Festival.
βMy greatest joy in this long tenure has been the people: talented students, faculty, staff, and big-hearted and generous supporters,β Parker said. βI am so fortunate to have known them and treasure the connections that continue beyond their time at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½. It is an honor to lead these schools and to share in the achievements that have occurred.β
To honor Dean Parkerβs legacy at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½, the Mark Parker Endowed Faculty Award has been established to recognize outstanding faculty in the schools of music and theatre. Charitable contributions to this fund can be made by visiting okcu.edu/parkeraward.
