Martin Baker (organist)
Martin Baker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 July 1967 Manchester, England |
| Genres | Choral music |
| Occupation(s) | Organist, choral conductor |
| Instrument | Organ |
| Years active | 1993–present |
Martin Baker (born 26 July 1967, Manchester) is a British organist and choir director. He was the president of the Royal College of Organists, and from 2000 until 2019[1] the Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral.
Baker was educated at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School in Manchester, Chetham's School of Music also in Manchester, St Ambrose College in Hale Barns, and attended Downing College, Cambridge as an organ scholar from 1985–88. He held appointments at Westminster Cathedral (organ scholar 1988–90), St Paul's Cathedral (assistant organist 1990–1991) and Westminster Abbey (sub-organist 1992–98 and acting organist 1998–99.)[2]
Baker won first prize in the Improvisation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival in St Albans 1997. While his position at Westminster Cathedral was primarily focused on choral direction, he has an international profile as an organ recitalist, and is particularly known for his skill in organ improvisation.[3] Baker resigned from his position as Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in 2020 due to a disagreement with the cathedral school over their boarding arrangements.[4]
In 2015 Baker was elected as an Honorary Fellow of Downing College.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Westminster Cathedral Master of Music". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "International Special Report: Princess Diana, 1961-1997". The Washington Post. 30 January 1999. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
The organ is played by Martin Baker, sub-organist of Westminster Abbey.
- ^ a b "Martin Baker". Cambridge: Downing College. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Westminster Cathedral Choir's head of music quits over boarding school arrangement complaints". 10 January 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
External links
[edit]- Martin Baker at the Westminster Cathedral website
- Martin Baker at Allmusic
- Martin Baker USA management page
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- 1967 births
- Living people
- Alumni of Downing College, Cambridge
- Cathedral organists
- English choral conductors
- British male conductors (music)
- English male classical organists
- Fellows of Downing College, Cambridge
- Musicians from Manchester
- People educated at St. Ambrose College
- People educated at Chetham's School of Music
- 21st-century British conductors (music)
- 21st-century English organists
- 21st-century English male musicians
- Organist stubs