Martin Baker
British musician

Martin Baker

The basics
Quick facts
Intro
British musician
Gender:
Male
Work field:
Birth:
26 July 1967(Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom)
Star sign:
Instruments:
Education:
Downing College
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Saint Ambrose College
Trafford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Chetham's School of Music
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
The details
Biography

Martin Baker (born 26 July 1967, Manchester) is a past President of the Royal College of Organists, and was from 2000 until 2019 Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral. He is believed to have resigned from his position at the cathedral in opposition to the changes made to the choristers' boarding pattern implemented by Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and Neil McLaughlan, headmaster of Westminster Cathedral Choir School which reduced the number of days the choristers sing and severely restricted recruitment of choristers.

Baker was educated at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, Chetham's School of Music, St Ambrose College, and attended Downing College, Cambridge as an Organ Scholar from 1985–88.He subsequently held appointments at Westminster Cathedral (Organ Scholar 1988–90), St Paul's Cathedral (Assistant Organist 1990–1991) and Westminster Abbey (Sub-Organist 1992–98 and Acting Organist 1998–99.)

Baker won first prize in the Improvisation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival in 1997. While his position at Westminster Cathedral was primarily focused on choral direction, he maintains an international profile as an organ recitalist, and is known particularly for his skill in organ improvisation.