Josh Baker is the Assistant Band Director at Centerville High School. His responsibilities at Centerville have included directing the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Pit Orchestra. He also serves as the assistant director of the nationally acclaimed marching band known as "The Centerville Jazz Band." He also assists with the Symphonic Orchestra, Middle School Honor Band, Concert Band, and Wind Symphony. He has taught courses on jazz improvisation, music technology, basic music theory, and AP music theory. Under his direction, the Centerville Jazz Ensemble performed at the 2010 OMEA Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati. The Wind Symphony also performed at the same convention, which he co-directs. While he has taught at Centerville, the Jazz Ensemble has had the opportunity to perform with guest artists such as Dr. Matt James and the Ohio University Jazz Ensemble, the OU Jazz Percussion Ensemble, Greg Abate, DJ Sparr, the Afro-Semitic Experience, Hal Melia, James Dapogny, John Harner, and other local artists. In 2011, The Centerville Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform at Wright State University with the WSU Jazz Ensemble. Prior to teaching in Centerville, Mr. Baker taught grades 5-12 band for the Greeneview Local Schools in Jamestown, Ohio in 2007. Josh is a 2007 graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in music education with emphases in saxophone and conducting. He had the privilege of studying saxophone and music education methods with Dr. Shelley Jagow. He was also mentored by Mr. Matt Spradlin and Mr. Wayne Markworth. Josh has performed with the Dayton Philharmonic Concert Band, Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Sinclair Wind Symphony, and the internationally acclaimed Avion Saxophone Quartet from Wright State University. As a member of the quartet, he has performed at several state and national level conventions. He is recorded on the first commercial CD release of the Avion Saxophone Quartet titled Avion Saxophone Quartet Volume 1 found on CDbaby.com and iTunes. Josh also received a fellowship to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chamber Music Institute in 2006 where he received coaching with the Chiara String Quartet. In addition, he had the honor of attending lectures and performing in a master class with the French saxophone virtuoso and professor emeritus of saxophone, Bordeaux Conservatory (France), Jean-Marie Londeix. Josh has been an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association. He has served as the Co-Chair of the 2011 OMEA All-State Band. Currently, he is the chair of the OMEA District 12 High School Honor Bands. Josh also holds memberships in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Golden Key International Honor Society, the National Band Association, Jazz Education Connection of Ohio, and the Ohio Music Educators Association. Josh is a native of Cincinnati and currently resides in Kettering, Ohio with his wife, Katie. |
Josh Baker |
