Mark McLauchlin, one of the Assistant Tutors in the Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative, began playing the cornet at the age of 9 at his local primary school in Penicuik, Midlothian under the direction of Leslie Rose.

After only 6 months experience on the instrument he progressed into Penicuik Silver Band's Junior Band and 6 months later moved into the Senior Band (and was the youngest musician). While still learning at school, Mark joined the Midlothian Schools Brass, Wind, Jazz and Orchestral ensembles and by the time he was 13 he held the Principal Trumpet chair in all of these ensembles.

Mark continued to play with Penicuik Silver until the age of 14, and then had a brief spell at Dalkieth and Monktonhall Band. Shortly after that Mark took the daunting step into the Championship Section, joining Kingdom Brass on 2nd Cornet. Mark spent 2 years at Kingdom, a spell which included the band's two tours of Switzerland, as well as many trips to Blackpool and all over Scotland. During this time Mark was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and played 2nd Cornet on their tour of Bavaria in 2002.

In 2004 Mark left Kingdom to take the principal cornet chair at McTaggart Scott Loanhead Band, gaining valuable experience as a soloist, before joining the Corps of Army Music in 2005. After completing basic training in Cambridge and trade training at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, he was posted to the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment. In his time with that band Mark served in Cyprus, Ascension Island and Iraq, as well as performing at high profile engagements in France and Northern Ireland.

Mark gained an Associate Diploma in Music Performance from the Trinity College, London, in February 2007

In November 2007 Mark was posted to the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and this move back to Scotland allowed him to return to the cornet section of Kingdom Brass as well as assist with the tutoring from the KBYI.