Composer, Music Producer, Musical Director@Aaross Music
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Over the last three decades, award-winning composer and musical director Mark Cheyne has enjoyed a career at the top of the South African classical music world. He began his career in 1996 with Michael Hankinson (former resident ballet conductor at the State Theatre and PACT Ballet). Together they produced hit concerts and theatre shows, including “Queen at the Ballet”, “The Elvis Las Vegas Extravaganza”, “Girltalk”, “In Concert - The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber”, “Joburg Pops” and many more.
Working independently since 2005, he recently was the main composer of the full length ballet “The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe” which premiered at the Pretoria State Theatre in April 2023, produced by the Mzansi Ballet Company. He composed the musical “Third World Express” which premiered at the Joburg Theatre in September 2022, a collaboration with the internationally celebrated choreographer Gregory Maqoma.
He is one of the most prolific music arrangers in South Africa with over 400 arrangements scored for orchestra to date. He is a sought after musical director and has worked with many local and international stars. Productions include “RMB Starlight Classics” (2010-2024), “Vodacom CEO Awards” (2017-2023), “Joy of Jazz” (Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra), “Skouspel Onder die Sterre”, “KKNK Huisgenoot Pops”, “The 12 Days of Christmas” (SABC 2), “Viva! Queen”, “Starlight Pop Opera” (KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra) and many others.
Five albums produced by Cheyne have been nominated for South African Music Awards. Together with executive producer Dr Reuel J. Khoza, he produced 8 albums of the music of the legendary Tsonga choral composer SJ Khosa, featuring various choirs and orchestras from around South Africa. He also composes music soundtracks for TV and Radio commercials as well as corporate events and is the recipient of a Loerie Craft Award (Music Composition).More...