First Nations Composer in Residence

We interviewed Mark ‘Munk’ Ross about being the 2025 - 2026 First Nations Composer in Residence with Ensemble Offspring

How do you feel about being Ensemble Offspring’s next First Nations Composer in Residence?

What an honour and a privilege to get this opportunity. There are so many fantastic First Nations composers out there creating amazing work, including the talented composers that have previously worked with Ensemble Offspring. I’m excited to see where this next part of the journey takes us.

What are you looking forward to getting out of this collaboration?

Being a self-taught musician with absolutely no music training, this is an opportunity to take in the knowledge of Ensemble Offspring members. My experience over the past 33 years as a musician and producer has been formed by watching and emulating the great people that I have worked with and I feel that further time with EO will really benefit me. Being a part of Ngarra-Burria: First Nations Composers was something quite different for me and I love the potential of writing more for instrumental chamber musicians.

What excites you about working with Ensemble Offspring?

I cannot wait to collaborate with Ensemble Offspring, all of whom are great players. Apart from being part of Ngarra-Burria & working with live bands as an artist, I have been a one-man shop, composing, playing and programming tunes. Of course I do like the freedom of doing that, especially with evolving music technology.  

Do you have any ideas yet for the type of piece you’ll write?

My writing style is very open. As with previous pieces that I composed in Ngarra-Burria, I am more than happy for musicians to jam and interpret the pieces however they feel it talks to them.

I always have a plethora of ideas flowing through my head. My plan is to narrow it down to a few different concepts that I have in mind, and see what the EO musicians are keenest to collaborate and work with.

Tell us something unique about yourself?

I live 6 months in Sydney & 6 months in Bangkok with my lovely wife. As per usual with myself,  I am lucky that the spirits guide me and give me opportunities to get myself involved in the many bits and pieces that come my way. Random activities such as voiceovers for Thai Basketball, graphic designing and of course I am still out and about, usually the oldest person at breakdance events, getting down and having a bit of a spin around.