News

Grand Valley's composition commission has been chosen! 

April 25, 2018


Commission Winner - Kent Baker

After reviewing over 200 entries through a three-tiered review process, we are excited to announce that Kent Baker has been commissioned to write a new work for the GVSU Symphonic Band. We heard many exciting compositions, and thank everyone that submitted compositions for consideration.

Kent Baker is a lifelong musician who is currently the Executive Director of Music City Drum Corps in Nashville, Tennessee. Before leading DCI’s newest World Class corps, he spent twenty-two years as a renowned composer, hornist, and Assistant Drum Major for The United States Air Force Band at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DC.

Before performing with The USAF Band (DC), he has also performed as a hornist with the Fairfax Wind Symphony (VA), Peoria Symphony Orchestra (IL), Prince George's Symphony Orchestra (MD), The Arlington Players (VA), and currently performs with the Quintessential Brass Quintet (VA). He donates his time to teach the students of the W. O. Smith School of Music. Kent is also a designer and educator for multiple Bands of America (BOA) marching bands, including 4-time BOA Regional Class Champion James Madison HS (VA). He was on the brass staff of The Cavaliers when they won their first DCI title in 1992, and recently on staff in 2014 and 2015 with The Cadets.

Kent's works have been featured on NBC's The Today Show fifteen times, Fox & Friends, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade twice, USAF Twilight Tattoos, The USAF Band 75th Anniversary Concert, Kennedy Center Honors, with works recently performed by the St. Louis Brass Band (MO), Oklahoma City University Wind Philharmonic (OK), Mississippi State University (MS), Quintessential Brass Quintet (VA), and Barclay Brass (MD). He has received recent commissions from The McLean Orchestra, euphoniumist Brandon Jones, trumpeter Michael Brest, and tubist Dr. Ryan Robinson.

Kent's works have won numerous awards, including recent winners The Eternity Gate and The Tannhauser Gate, winners of the 2016 and 2017 Dallas Winds (TX) Fanfare Composition Competition, The Common Good, winner of Bay Colony Brass' (MA) 1st Annual Composition Competition, Wichita Falls, After the Rain, winner in the Musica Merida (Mexico) Orchestra Composition Competition, and 75.29.30, a winner in the United States Air Force Media Contest. His works God Bless America for brass and percussion ensemble and In Pursuit for Solo Oboe and Wind Ensemble have been included on USAF Band CD Projects Home of the Brave and Breaking Barriers.

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Page last modified April 25, 2018