Professor David Baker
Professor David Baker is the Director of the Halifax Organ Academy. He is also a tutor with the RCO/St Giles International Organ School.
Professor David Baker, Director of the Halifax Organ Academy
David Baker was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1952. His first love was the church organ, which he began playing from the age of 12. By the time that he was 16, he was an Associate of the Royal College of Organists. He gained his Fellowship the following year. In 1970 he was elected Organ Scholar of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Music three years later. He took an MMus degree from Kings College, London in 1974. He has remained active as musician and musicologist, with the first edition of his book The Organ (Shire Publications, 1991) selling over 10,000 copies. A second edition was published in 2003 and a second revised edition in 2010. He has undertaken recital tours to Germany, Italy and Scandinavia and when organist of Wymondham Abbey, Norfolk, performed the entire organ works of J S Bach in 26 recitals. He is a regular writer and reviewer of organ and choral music and recordings, and was Deputy Editor and then Editor (until December, 2008) of The Organ magazine. He now focuses on teaching the organ and in 2011 he founded the Halifax Organ Academy, which aims to offer high quality tuition and support to organists of all ages and backgrounds within West Yorkshire.
David is a regular writer and reviewer of organ and choral music and recordings, and was Deputy Editor and then Editor (until December, 2008) of The Organ magazine.
He is also interested in local history and music making and has researched and published on activities in 18th and 19th century Halifax.
He has an Amazon US and an Amazon UK page.
Dear Mr Baker,
I am the Vicar of a Parish in East Leeds where we are presently struggling to appoint a new organist to lead our services week by week (weekly sung Eucharist at 9.30am, 1st, 3rd and 4th Sunday mornings and once a month an evening service). We have until recently been privileged to have had the services of a talented young organist and are keen to appoint someone to this post as soon as possible. I know we are not the only church looking at this time, but wondered if you had a way of advertising our vacancy to those with whom you come into contact through the work of the Halifax Organ Academy. I have full paperwork. job description and person spec and would be happy to send it to you, if you feel there is anyone with whom you might be able to share it. it is also all available via our church website -www.stjamesmanston,church
If, as at the moment, it is not possible to appoint someone long term I continue to need to find people who will fufil the requirements on a one-off basis – so again if you know of anyone who may be interested in playing on occasions , or would like to gain some further experience etc, I would be delighted to hear about them! We have a good organ in a beautiful church!
With Many thanks
Carolyn
The Reverend Carolyn A. James
Manston Vicarage, Church Lane
Cross Gates
Leeds LS15 8JB
Hello Carolyn – happy to advertise your post and write to particular people who might be interested if you give me some details.
David
Dear Professor Baker
Per. your OR letter, I have some information I’d like to send you, with a few images, about Geoffrey Tristram. Please advise an email address. Thank you.
Hello Peter. I have sent you my email address by direct message. Many thanks for your help.
David
Hello Mr. Baker,
May I know could we have private lesson with you? I am currently living at Leeds and is a music student at university of leeds. Thanks
Hello there – I will reply to you privately.