Faculty

 

Dr. Jason Baker serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Mississippi State University. His responsibilities include: teaching applied percussion lessons, directing the percussion ensemble, teaching percussion methods courses, and serving as the coordinator/arranger for the MSU drumline. Jason completed a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas. He holds a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Connecticut.


An active performer, Jason is a member of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra (principal timpanist), Starkville Symphony Orchestra (principal percussionist) and the State Messengers faculty jazz combo. Also a frequent solo performer and clinician, he has performed at three Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the College Music Society National and Southern Regional Conferences, Mississippi Bandmasters Association Convention, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and universities throughout the country. He has recently performed as a concerto soloist with the Mississippi Wind Symphony, the MSU Wind Ensemble and the University of Connecticut Symphonic Band.


Dr. Baker has been published in Percussive Notes, with solo compositions published by Drop6 and Tap Space Publications. His debut solo CD, "The Noble Snare", was released in 2005 with 11 West Records/Smith Publications.  He also serves as a music and publications reviewer for Percussive Notes.


Jason was a performing member with the Glassmen, Boston Crusaders and Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps and later served on the instructional staff of the Boston Crusaders. He is proud to be an artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America, Innovative Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and is President of the Mississippi Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.


Jason lives in Starkville, Mississippi with his wife Kathy, son Landon, and their two cats.

Upcoming/Recent Engagements

  1. -8/23/09    “Gospel Jubilee” at First United Methodist Church (Starkville, MS)

  2. -9/13/09    Performance on Robert Damm’s Faculty Recital (McComas Hall, MSU)

  3. -10/3/09    Judging at Copiah Academy Band Contest (Copiah, MS)

  4. -10/9/09    Starkville Symphony Orchestra

  5. -10/10/09  Private function with State Messengers Jazz Combo (Starkville, MS)

  6. -10/16/09  Tupelo Symphony Orchestra (Children’s Concert - Fulton, MS)

  7. -10/17/09  Tupelo Symphony Orchestra

  8. -10/21/09  Tupelo Symphony Orchestra (run out concert in Columbus, MS)

  9. -10/22/09  Hispanic Culture Night (MSU) with Bob Damm and Will Curry

  10. -10/30/09  Solo Marimba Concert at MSU Barnes and Noble coffee shop, 12:00 pm

  11. -11/5/09    Private Function with State Messengers Jazz Combo (Columbus, MS)

  12. -11/6/09    Solo Marimba Concert at East Mississippi Community College, 10:00 am

  13. -12/5/09    Tupelo Symphony Orchestra (Nutcracker)

  14. -12/12/09  Tupelo Symphony Orchestra (Holiday Concert)

  15. -1/28/10    Conducting MSU High School Honors Percussion Ensemble

  16. -2/6/10      Judging at Tupelo Percussion Festival

  17. -2/12/10    Solo Performance at Itawamba Community College

  18. -2/17/10    Solo Performance at North East Mississippi Community College

  19. -2/20/10    Tupelo Symphony Orchestra

  20. -3/6/10      Starkville Symphony Orchestra

  21. -3/27/10    Tupelo Symphony Orchestra

  22. -4/5/10      Chamber performance with brass faculty, 7:30pm, Giles Auditorium

  23. -4/17/10    Tupelo Symphony Orchestra

  24. -5/29/10    State Messengers Jazz Combo, Private Function (Starkville, MS)


Recent Publications

  1. -“15 Progressive Snare Drum Solos”, Drop6 Media (2010)

  2. -“Un Dia de Noviembre” (solo marimba), Tapspace Publications (2009)

  3. -“Rose of Brazil”/”Waltz Medley”/”Sweet Carmen” (percussion ensemble), Drop6 Media (2009)

  4. -“Four Southern Sketches” (snare drum), Drop6 Media (2007)

  5. -“Danse Bacchanale” (percussion ensemble), Drop6 Media (2007)

  6. -“Lonely City Suite” (snare drum), Tapspace Publications (2006)

  7. -“The Noble Snare” (solo CD), Smith Publications/11 West Records (2005)