Dr. Jason Baker serves as Director of Percussion Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at Mississippi State University. 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), State Messengers faculty jazz combo, and the Bain Percussion Group. He has also performed with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Meridian (MS) Symphony Orchestra. Also a frequent solo performer and clinician, Jason has performed at four 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 college and professional ensembles.
Dr. Baker has been published in Percussive Notes, with solo compositions and ensemble arrangements published by Drop6 and Tap Space Publications. He published his first book, “15 Progressive Snare Drum Solos: A Pedagogical Approach to Repertoire”, with Drop6 in 2010. Jason’s 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 President of the Mississippi Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
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