Musical Director - Leigh Baker

Leigh Baker hails from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. After his school education he moved to Huddersfield Polytechnic (now University) to study Euphonium Performance (under Geoff Whitham) and Composition on the BA (Hons) Music Degree course.

Playing

Leigh’s playing career commenced with the local town band (Melton Borough) and he quickly progressed to Championship Section banding with the Ancient Order of Foresters Band (again under Geoff Whitham). His move to Yorkshire saw Leigh appointed Solo Euphonium with the Jayess (Queensbury) Band where he worked with Jim Shepherd. In 1990 at the age of 20, a slim, wavy haired Leigh joined the Brighouse and Rastrick Band on second Euphonium and it was this musical organisation that was to become a major influence on his life. Leigh had a short flaky spell on Solo Euphonium with Brighouse but settled on the Prince of Instruments-the baritone in 1995 and held the Solo Baritone Position until retiring in 2009 after nearly 20 years service. Whilst performing with the band Leigh played in most parts of the UK and on Tour to Europe and North America and the Brighouse and Rastrick Band usually attracts sell out audiences. This varied from a floating stage on Bergen harbour to The Royal Albert Hall to a Mushy Pea Millionaire’s 60th birthday party! Contest wins have also included every major contest (apart from the elusive British Open!) and these formed some of the highlights of his playing career.

Composing and Arranging

Leigh is Composer and Arranger in Residence with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band. His output is prolific and his work has varied from arrangements for soloists to original Test Pieces. Leigh won the “Best New Composition” Award at The Brass in Concert Championships (Britain’s top brass band Entertainment Competition held at The Sage, Gateshead) in 2006 (Bare Necessities) and 2007 (Mr Sandman). He has completed many Commissions for Brighouse and Rastrick but has also written for other Ensembles including Desford Colliery Band, Skelmanthorpe Band, Flowers Band, Redbridge Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Folk musicians Roger Davies and the Houghton Weavers and he is working on a number of pieces for other varied groups and soloists. Leigh’s work is colourful and imaginative and is always well received by musicians and audiences alike. “Roman Triptych” was selected as the set work for the 4th Section National Brass Band Finals in Harrogate in 2007 and the 3rd Section French Open 2009 and the 4th Section Butlins 2010 competitions. For more information about Leigh’s works please visit leighbaker.co.uk

Conducting

Leigh has conducted a number of Ensembles over the past 15 years and has had associations with Holme Silver, Foresters Brass 2000, Hebden Bridge, Thoresby Colliery, Yorkshire Imps, Drighlington and Wakefield Metropolitan Bands amongst others. In 2008 Leigh was appointed as Musical Director of the South Yorkshire Police Brass Band and leads the band, drum corps and fanfare team in functions and competitions both locally and nationally.

Teaching

Leigh completed his PGCE teacher training course after his degree and after 7 successful years as head of music at Minsthorpe Community College (South Elmsall), he took up a similar post at Honley High School in Huddersfield in 2002. In 2010 Leigh was appointed Head of Creative Arts at Honley High School and leads Music, Art, Drama, Dance and PE (no comments please!) at Honley. In 2008 Leigh was nominated for the “Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year” Awards and was delighted to finish runner-up in this national competition. Leigh Baker is married with 3 small children and lives near Huddersfield