Mark Gerard Prall

Mark was born on April 6, 1954 in Passaic, N.J. to Donald and Josephine Prall.

He graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University in New Jersey with a degree in Percussion Performance. He studied with the late Laurence Jacobs as well as privately with jazz greats Andrew Cyrille and Freddie Waits.

While living in New Jersey, Mark performed extensively throughout the New York Metropolitan area with groups including the Queens Symphony, the Goldman Band and the New Jersey Chamber Music Society.

In 1992, he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Cape Cod. He was the Principal timpanist with the Cape Symphony Orchestra for 30 years and Principial timpanist with the Plymouth Philharmonic for 25 years. He was also Principal timpanist with the Simon Sinfonietta, Chatham Chorale and Falmouth Choral for many years. Mark taught in the Nauset Regional School District for many years and extensively throughout the Cape through Outreach programs. At the time of his death, Mark was the Percussion Coordinator for the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Mark’s love of music and his desire to spread its knowledge and joy infused every part of his life and embodied everything he did.

Mark is survived by Ruth, his wife of 48 years. He is also survived by a brother, Gene and sister-in-law Shirley of Myrtle Beach, SC., niece Lisa Prall (Brian, Brandin and Brooklyn) and 2 nephews, Jefferey (Nina and Tessa) and Michael (Emily, Solice and Luna) and sister-in-law, Frances Bonscher.

Mark will be missed by the many people whose lives he has touched.

A celebration of his life is TBA.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Care Symphony Youth Orchestra Program