Music

Morning Chimes (2023)


Two versions of "Morning Chimes" for solo acoustic guitar
- Studio recording
- Remastered audio from my 2018 porch video


Roam (2023)


15 original compositions for solo acoustic guitar

A 20th-anniversary rerelease of my 2003 album

"Mark Sylvester is blessed with unusual musical talent. He plays acoustic guitar, fretless and upright bass, banjo and mandolin with astounding proficiency. "Urban Nocturne" showcases my favorite aspect of Sylvester's performances, his ability to sound melancholy and playful simultaneously."
- WashingtonPost.com


New Music for Banjo (2009)

Winner of the 2009 WAMMIE Award for Classical Recording, Mark Sylvester's second CD, New Music for Banjo, is a collection of original compositions for solo banjo and banjo in small chamber ensembles. These four pieces were premiered by Great Noise Ensemble, and several musicians from GNE join Mark and his banjo on this recording.

"It isn't often that the banjo is used as a classical instrument. But for Mark Sylvester, the unusual use of the banjo sounds surprisingly normal and appropriate...Subtle, sparse, and strikingly beautiful...the banjo seems to bring out the more organic side of classical music. A refreshing change of pace... (Rating: 5+)"
- LNMOP / babysue


Banjo Chamber Concerto


Performed by Great Noise Ensemble (28 February 2013)




The Only Animal (Music for Live Theater)


Nothing But Sky (Vancouver, BC, 2014)
Joe's Theme

Nix (Whistler, BC, 2010) (Calgary, Alberta, 2009)

Other Freds (Vancouver, BC, 2005)



Tree Surgeons (Avant Folk)


Witness (2000)

Eye of Time (1998)



Other Recordings


Terry Riley's In C (2019)
Mark: mandolin

Philip Glass's The Fall of the House of Usher (2019)
Mark: electric guitar

Jason Mendelson's MetroSongs, volume 7: (2017)
Mark: electric guitar solo at the end of "Congress Heights"

Carey Creed (2016)
Mark: acoustic guitar on "Carol of the Willing" and "Carol of the Donkey"

Great Noise Ensemble: Guerrilla New Music (2013)
Mark: producer, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin

Lea: Promise (2012)
Mark: classical guitar on "23"; upright bass, banjo, and mandolin on "Bread Alone"
banjo on "Guarantee"

Fred Smith: Texas (2008)
Mark: co-producer, recording engineer, upright bass, bass guitar, acoustic guitars, djembe

Frencham and Smith: Lovethongs (2007)
Mark: recording engineer, guitars, banjo

Iain Campbell Smith: Ballads and Barsongs (2007)
Mark: recording engineer, upright bass, acoustic guitar

Verlette Simon: Proof of Life (2007)
Mark: acoustic guitars, banjo, percussion

Sense of Wonder: Open the Gate (2006)
Mark: upright bass

Cedar Belly: 3 a.m. stars (2005)
Mark: recording engineer