Tribute to Julius Baker

NASHVILLE, TN (August 11, 2004) — Tribute Concert Honors the Legacy of Julius Baker.

The opening gala concert for the 2004 National Flute Association Conference in Nashville, TN featured many artists and former students of the late flute virtuoso Julius Baker for a time of celebration and remembrance of his remarkable career as a performer, educator and friend.

Some of the artists that performed at the concert included Yamaha artists and former students Bradley Garner, Jeffrey Khaner and Mimi Stillman. They played various styles of music including chamber, orchestral and solo. Before each piece, the performers commented on the impact that Mr. Baker had on their careers, and on all musicians in every discipline.

After graduating from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Baker returned to Cleveland to play in the Cleveland Orchestra under Artur Rodzinski. Mr. Baker then went as a solo flutist to the Pittsburgh Symphony under Fritz Reiner. He left Pittsburgh to become solo flutist of the Columbia Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra in New York City. When the CBS Orchestra was disbanded, Mr. Baker went as solo flutist to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Later he returned to New York to assume the solo flute position with the New York Philharmonic, where he remained until 1983.

After his performances in the New York Philharmonic, Mr. Baker concentrated on solo performances and chamber music in addition to teaching. He was on the faculties of The Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute of Music, his alma mater. Mr. Baker was a member of an international woodwind quintet formed by the Yamaha Corporation to give concerts in the major cities in Japan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company.