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Renée Baker
Renée Baker, composer, violinist/violist, conductor is founder/leader of thirteen contemporary
music performance entities–Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, FAQtet, Mantra Blue
Free Orchestra, Red Chai, Project 6, Wrinkled Linen, Connoisseur Musica String ensemble
(classical), Poemusici (spoken word), Mimetic Cast (new music performance ensemble and
publisher), Blanche’ (experimental orchestra), Baker Artet, TUNTUI (experimental piano
quartet) and the Renee’ Baker Trio. She has created eclectic chamber festivals for Adler
Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Joffrey Ballet Chamber Series, Norris Cultural Arts Center and
Classical Symphony Hall.
As a composer, Ms. Baker has penned creative compositions for her own groups, as well as
the Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble and the Great Black Music Ensemble/AACM.
In 2009 Ms. Baker’s compositions were premiered in Umbria Italy and Suoni Per Il Popolo
(Montreal). Ms Baker has presented over 20 concerts including her compositions for the Chicago
State University Student Afternoon recital series, from 2002-2007. She has premiered over 10
works on the Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Series 2008-2010. Her first full symphony piece,
commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta, Sundown’s Promise for Taiko and Orchestra was given
it’s world premiere(2 performances) in October 2010, and was met with critical acclaim. Her
second symphony piece, commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta, Divertimento Notte blu was
given its world premiere (2 performances) in May 2011 and was widely met with great reviews.
Ms. Baker was accepted into the cutting-edge Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute (2010)
at Columbia University. In 2010 she completed a score for a 1960′s film by Jack Behrends
sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. She composed the score for the Museum
of Contemporary Art Program (Chicago) entitled Brass Epiphany, part of the 45th Anniversary
celebration of the AACM for November 2010.
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