James Earl Baker

On November 6, 2023, James Earl (Jim) Baker, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family. Jim was born on November 30, 1936 to Dr. Leslie Earl Baker and Bertha Mae Baker in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Espy, Pennsylvania and attended Scott Township High School. He advanced his passion for music at Penn State University where he received both his BS and M.Ed. degrees. He later earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts, D.M.A., from Catholic University of America in Washington DC. Jim met his wife, Joan Moore, on a blind date set up by mutual friends, Charlotte and Jack. They quickly fell in love and married on August 8, 1958 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania at a candlelight service. Music was a uniting interest for both and helped to launch them on the journey of a lifetime. Following graduation from Penn State in 1958, Jim began his teaching and music career in Pennsylvania public schools for 7 years. Some of his most enduring memories and lasting satisfactions were from the rich relationships he forged during those early years. In 1965, he joined the teaching faculty at Mary Washington College, advancing to full professor, Department Chair, and Symphony Conductor. Later that year he began doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America and studied conducting with Lloyd Geisler, then associate conductor for the National Symphony. He would later study conducting with Franticek Vajnar and Otakar Trihilik which initiated many of his European relationships. He was the founder of the College Community Symphony in 1971 which exists today as the UMW Philharmonic Symphony. It was truly a student and community collaborative orchestra. He loved a broad view of music that included classical, jazz, patriotic marches, movie classics and more. The popularity of a community-based orchestra stirred excitement early and resulted in Jim establishing the Friends of the Orchestra to buy instruments, music and fund Mary Washington student scholarships. Funds raised through the Friends organization continue to benefit the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra and provide scholarships to Mary Washington students with a commitment toward the musical arts. He worked hand in hand with close friend Pete Hearn, President of Dominion Bank, to stage the annual Pop’s Concert which provided thematic music entertainment during the holidays to the community for nearly a half century. Former Mary Washington President, Prince Woodard, once quipped about conversations with Jim, “Never knew what I agreed to, but it always worked out.” As a teacher he is noted for bringing musical performance to the public. Students appreciated his practical approach and belief that music should be heard. He transcended instrumental and voice performance to include Mary Washington’s first electronic music program. This enabled students to explore digital music composition and performance influenced by the introduction of synthesizers popularized in the 1960s. Former student, Davy Jennings (’80), says it best, “I graduated with a degree in music. Of course, that’s where I met Dr. (call me Jim) Baker. I especially remember Conducting and Electronic Music classes. He had a laid-back way of teaching…gentle, friendly, interesting…and he knew his stuff. He made my education all the better for it and I never forgot him.” Jim, along with Joan, who is well known for her vocal accomplishments, paired their talents with travels to Europe on numerous occasions, he as a guest conductor and she as a guest soloist. They traveled to the Czech Republic at Hradec Kralove, Ostrava, Marienbad, and Karlsbad; Bulgaria at Vratza, Vidin, Pazardjik, Pleven, and Plovdiv; Romania at Valcea and Bucharest; and, Poland at Walbrzych, Zabrze, and Lublin. Those performances became valuable in building relationships with European conductors and musicians. The exchanges and friendships forged resulted in notable performers from across the globe performing with the Mary Washington College College-Community Symphony. In March 2002, several months before his retirement, the Mary Washington College Community-Symphony Orchestra, with Jim serving as the conductor, performed a program at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The program, An Evening of Slavic Music, reflected his guest conducting in Europe. This was a pinnacle moment for all who performed and a fulfilling capstone experience for Jim’s teaching and music career. Jim always had an interest in astronomy. He built telescopes and constructed a projection stellarium out of basic materials and punch cards dotted with constellations to share with his children and grandchildren on how to navigate the night sky. He followed key celestial events and encouraged others to join him to witness on one of his telescopes or safely by eye. He will be remembered for the myriad eclipses, meteor showers, asteroid discoveries, planetary events and more that he enjoyed sharing with friends and family. Many remember Jim for his ever-present wit and sense of humor. He loved to be around people over a meal or beverage to share humor and deep thinking. He met one of his mentors, Ralph Whitaker Sr. over a request for music lessons on a prized sterling silver flute that Ralph owned. Their relationship grew into weekly sessions over games of billiards, discussions about the orchestra and of course some jokes. Jim enjoyed the challenge of a great chess match with Phil Palmer who owned his favorite music store in Richmond. Phil often joined the orchestra as a guest performer, most notably on bass tuba. Jim (Slick) and Bill Kinnamon (Slim) would frequent favorite places for lunch to discuss the Friends of the Orchestra, life and travels and always finished with “salads”…Coconut Custard, Apple, Pumpkin often substituted well. He loved his oyster meetings with Wyatt Thompson where they would enjoy roasted oysters, a malted beverage and of course discussions about music and the orchestra. He also held strong loyalty to Penn State football with his childhood friend, Glenn Spaid. He relished the underdog role. And when Penn State had perfect seasons in ‘68, ‘69, and ‘73, he took it personally that a sitting President declared Texas the winner of the National Title. “We are Penn State!” He was predeceased by his parents and his grandson, Connor Baker. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Joan Baker; his children, Brian (Erma), Erin Sniffin (Charles), and Jonathan (Kathy); 5 grandchildren, Libby Allwine (Kyle); Mary Wallace Nilsen (Michael); Andrew Sniffin (Stephanie); James Sniffin (April); and Campbell Baker; and, 5 great grandchildren, Kyle Allwine, Liam, Noah, and Sienna Sniffin, and Haylee Knight. The family extends their sincerest thanks to friends and care workers who provider immeasurable support throughout the years. You are a blessing. A Remembrance for family, friends, colleagues and students will be held at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Home at 1621 Emancipation Highway, Fredericksburg, VA, on Sunday, December 3, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For those interested, a reflection written by Martha Fickett at the time of his retirement can be found at the link below: https://archive.org/details/marywashingtonco26suniv/page/7/mode/1up In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are strongly encouraged for the James E. Baker College-Community Orchestra Scholarships Fund at the University of Mary Washington at the following link. http://alumni.umw.edu/bakerscholarships