Michael Conway Baker
Encyclopedia
Michael Conway Baker is a Canadian
composer
and music educator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1970 and has resided more or less continuously in the Vancouver area since.
After self-teaching basic music theory as a child, Baker moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1958 at which time he began formal piano studies. Subsequently, Baker studied music at the University of British Columbia
where he was a pupil in music composition with teachers Jean Coulthard
and Elliot Weisgarber. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1966, he eventually pursued graduate studies at Western Washington University
where he earned a Masters of Music in 1972.
Baker has composed numerous scores for film, television and has over 150 concert works to his credit for which he has received many awards. Included in his awards are three Genie Awards (The Grey Fox
1983 and John and the Missus 1987), one Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
(Concerto For Piano and Chamber Orchestra, 1992) and an ACTRA Gemini Awardsfor best score for a TV Series (David Suzuki's A Planet for the Taking). He has composed for the National Ballet of Canada
, Fanfare to Expo '86 in Vancouver, many feature films and TV series including several episodes of Road to Avonlea
. In 1997, Baker was awarded the Order of British Columbia
. Michael Conway Baker was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame in November, 2006 with a star on the sidewalk in Vancouver, BC just like his father, comedian Phil Baker has on the sidewalk in Hollywood, CA.
Within the Canadian music circles, he is somewhat well known for having composed Vancouver Variations, used as the theme music for the CBC Radio 2 morning request program Here's to You. Internationally, his music is known for Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades full length ice-ballet Cinderella: Frozen in Time which toured North America and China for 5 years. Besides that highly popular soundtrack album, he has seven albums entirely of his music as well as having works on many other cds.
Michael Conway Baker spent seventeen years as an elementary school teacher and currently resides in North Vancouver with his wife, manager and lyricist, Penny Anne Baker.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and music educator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1970 and has resided more or less continuously in the Vancouver area since.
After self-teaching basic music theory as a child, Baker moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1958 at which time he began formal piano studies. Subsequently, Baker studied music at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
where he was a pupil in music composition with teachers Jean Coulthard
Jean Coulthard
Jean Coulthard, was a Canadian composer and music educator. She was part of a trio of women composers who dominated Western Canadian music in the twentieth century: Coulthard, Barbara Pentland, and Violet Archer. All three died within weeks of each other in 2000...
and Elliot Weisgarber. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1966, he eventually pursued graduate studies at Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
where he earned a Masters of Music in 1972.
Baker has composed numerous scores for film, television and has over 150 concert works to his credit for which he has received many awards. Included in his awards are three Genie Awards (The Grey Fox
The Grey Fox (film)
The Grey Fox is a 1982 Canadian film written by John Hunter and directed by Phillip Borsos. It is based on the true story of Bill Miner, an American stagecoach robber who staged Canada's first train robbery on September 10, 1904. The film stars Richard Farnsworth as Miner...
1983 and John and the Missus 1987), one Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
The Juno Award for "Classical Composition of the Year" has been awarded since 1987, as recognition each year for the best classical music composition in Canada.-Best Classical Composition :*Malcolm Forsyth, Atayoskewin...
(Concerto For Piano and Chamber Orchestra, 1992) and an ACTRA Gemini Awardsfor best score for a TV Series (David Suzuki's A Planet for the Taking). He has composed for the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
, Fanfare to Expo '86 in Vancouver, many feature films and TV series including several episodes of Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea
Road to Avonlea was a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films in association with CBC and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada.It was adapted from...
. In 1997, Baker was awarded the Order of British Columbia
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
. Michael Conway Baker was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame in November, 2006 with a star on the sidewalk in Vancouver, BC just like his father, comedian Phil Baker has on the sidewalk in Hollywood, CA.
Within the Canadian music circles, he is somewhat well known for having composed Vancouver Variations, used as the theme music for the CBC Radio 2 morning request program Here's to You. Internationally, his music is known for Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades full length ice-ballet Cinderella: Frozen in Time which toured North America and China for 5 years. Besides that highly popular soundtrack album, he has seven albums entirely of his music as well as having works on many other cds.
Michael Conway Baker spent seventeen years as an elementary school teacher and currently resides in North Vancouver with his wife, manager and lyricist, Penny Anne Baker.