Celebrating Black History: Dr. Mark Ellis Sunkett (Timpani and Percussion ’75)
Born on April 19, 1949, in Philadelphia, Curtis alumnus Dr. Mark Ellis Sunkett (Timpani and Percussion ’75) forged a remarkable career as a performer, ethnomusicologist, author, and educator. His early passion for music led him to Curtis, where he earned his undergraduate degree studying with faculty percussionists Fred Hinger and Gerald Carlyss.
From there, he obtained a master’s degree in percussion from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh, and in 1976, joined the performance faculty of Arizona State University in Tempe as a professor of percussion and ethnomusicology, a position that allowed him to mentor aspiring percussionists while conducting groundbreaking research. Later, he served on the board of directors of the Percussive Arts Society for many years.
A performer of note across multiple genres, Mr. Sunkett appeared with some of the most respected musical ensembles in the country. In the years following his studies, he made performed with the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, Penn Contemporary Players, the United States Marine Band, and Arizona Ballet and Opera Orchestras. Throughout the 1975–76 season, Mr. Sunkett was an on-call musician with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and from 1978 to 1982, he served as principal timpanist with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. Beyond orchestral settings, he was also an accomplished percussionist in jazz, rock, and other popular music styles, touring nationally with various artists and blending tradition with contemporary rhythms.
His fascination with ethnomusicology led him to do extensive research on African and African American musical traditions, percussion techniques, and performance aesthetics. From 1984 to 1996, he was the director of the Kawambe Drum and Dance Ensemble, a role he left to pursue research in Senegal. Since 1994, he had been the principal investigator of the “Drums of Sénégal Project,” an initiative dedicated to preserving and documenting the rhythms, history, and performance styles of various Senegalese ethnic groups.
Dr. Sunkett’s scholarly contributions include the book Mandiani Drum and Dance: Djimbe Performance and Black Aesthetics from Africa to the New World (White Cliffs Media), accompanied by a compact disc and video. Additionally, in 1997, he released the album Sabar, the Soul of Senegal, featuring performances by Omar Thiam and Jam Bugum. Whether in the classroom, on stage, or in the field, Dr. Sunkett remained dedicated to rhythm as a universal language, connecting cultures and generations through his life’s work. He passed away in Mesa, Arizona, on June 26, 2014.
Please visit the Curtis Institute of Music Open Archives and Recitals (CIMOAR). Learn more about Curtis’ library and archives HERE.
Photo Credits: 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6.) Courtesy of Dignity Memorial and Dr. Sunkett’s family. 2.) Curtis Institute of Music Archives. Graduation photo in 1970. Back Row (L-R): Mark Sunkett, Peter Brown, Mark Steinruck, Paul Windt, Mark Woltman. Second Row: Daniel Sanbrotti, Donald Williams, Robert Koester, David Weber, Anthony Patota, James Hough. Front Row: Valerie Bobbett, Claudia Hoca, Pamela Boodley, William Horn, Patricia Michaelian, Susan Cornwell, Jo Ann Vischoric. Not pictured: Lance Elbeck, Young Uck Kim, Karen Krisel, Michael Morgan, Mark Steinruck, and George Stimpson.
