BAKER, Sarah

"I have played the piano since I was five, and have always been interested in composing and performing. My local church provided the ideal setting for new vocal compositions and experiments in improvisation during my teenage years. I moved to Birmingham in 1994 and did a BMus(Hons) degree at the University of Birmingham, specialising in composition and orchestration, studying piano at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Alison Pottinger. I completed a Masters in Music Performance in 1997. I teach piano and singing, and I specialise in conducting and leading choirs with particular expertise in Key Stages 1 and 2. I have worked in many schools in Birmingham in a broad variety of social and cultural contexts since 1994, employed by Services For Education Music Services. I became the Vocal Composer in Residence in 2012 and compose songs and musicals for primary schools and massed-choral events. I have also worked extensively on compositions and arrangements for pre-school music and movement classes, producing the curriculum CDs for Music Shakers. My piano compositions include Night Time Impressions and Day Time Impressions, soon to be published by Forsythe Music, and Transformations, a set of pieces reflecting on my experience of Lockdown in 2020. I am passionate about music and arts education and believe that the performing arts uniquely support children's educational success and achievement. I love music from many genres and write music to encourage and support learning, as well as to simply listen to and enjoy".