Will Baker

Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare and Alpine Symphony with Des Moines Symphony

Such a treat to reunite with my friends in Iowa for an epic weekend of music

Looking forward to upcoming trips to Iowa, Michigan, and California. Message me to schedule lessons while I’m in your area. Happy Spring!

Today I received tenure with

Big thanks to my colleagues and fabulous Maestro for welcoming me into the band, and to my friends and family for their unwavering support.

Looking forward to many years of music making.

Opening night of CavPag with Lyric Opera of Chicago, made extra special by my forever date

season is heating up with
Great movie! Perfect for the season. Happy to be in this beautiful hall with my colleagues.

Happy October!

Prepping for Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana with
Swipe ➡️ to hear my last rep of this session, at 88% of my goal tempo, which is a stretch for me today. Following the strategy below will help me be prepared for our first rehearsal on October 21st. Can’t wait!

Goal tempo - 140bpm
Today I start at 80% of my goal tempo (112bpm) for 3 reps
Then add 4% (6bpm) for 2 reps, and 4% more for 2 reps.

Work flow:
Metronome on. Sing through once to get in the groove of the music.

Record first rep in
Listen back at half tempo
pick 1 thing to focus on for next rep
Sing the adjustment
Record 2nd rep and repeat the process
Increase tempos as prescribed above
Make note of anything that needs extra attention

Next session (2-3 days later) I’ll start at 85% tempo

This practice strategy stacks multiple lessons I’ve learned from and his about practicing.

As the run of comes to a close, I want to give a shout out to my fabulous colleagues (especially the low brass) for making the experience so great!

- our fearless leader, setting the standard musically and leading the culture of positivity and collaboration
- a rising star, seamlessly gluing the section together
- the quintessential pro, somehow both solid and flexible, holding it down on the bottom.

Cheers gents!

Very happy to be back in the pit after a long summer

First up, Carmen with

Feeling lucky to have my brother in the audience at to hear my first real week with the

He flagged this week as a possible work trip visit months ago and coincidentally aligned with my one CSO week.

Joan Tower’s suite from her concerto for orchestra (straight 🔥), Rachmaninov’s gorgeous 2nd piano concerto, and (my first) Brahms 1. The show was great. What an incredible orchestra and a beautiful venue.

Happy summer all!

Excited to be playing some beautiful bass bone on broadway tunes with the this weekend.

Saturday from the audience, last night from the stage!

What a thrill to get called to fill in for Charlie Vernon last night playing Verdi’s Requiem with the and Maestro Muti.

I’ve been dreaming of playing with the since 2010 when I first heard them perform live in Millennium Park at the start of my time at . had just arrived as music director, and the city was buzzing with excitement.

I am so thankful that my first service with the orchestra was performing (my first) Verdi Requiem with this legendary Maestro. Huge thanks to for meeting me before the show to help me prepare, and for for trusting me enough to call on me. I am feeling very lucky, and VERY ALIVE. What a wild day and a surreal experience.

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