Artists

Martin Baker
(born 26 July 1967, Manchester)

Martin Baker is a British organist and choir director, widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary church music and organ performance. He received his early musical education in Manchester at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School and Chetham’s School of Music, before continuing his studies at St Ambrose College, Hale Barns. From 1985 to 1988 he was Organ Scholar at Downing College, University of Cambridge.

His professional career has included appointments at some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious musical institutions. He served as Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral (1988–1990), Assistant Organist at St Paul’s Cathedral (1990–1991), and Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey from 1992 to 1998, later acting as Organist there during the 1998–1999 season.

From 2000 until 2019, Martin Baker was Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, where his work focused primarily on choral direction and the development of the cathedral’s internationally renowned choir. Alongside his choral work, he has maintained a significant international career as an organ recitalist and is particularly celebrated for his exceptional skill in organ improvisation.

In 1997 he won First Prize in the Improvisation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival. He served as President of the Royal College of Organists and, in recognition of his artistic and professional achievements, was elected an Honorary Fellow of Downing College in 2015.

Martin Baker resigned from his post at Westminster Cathedral in 2020. His influence as a performer, conductor and educator continues to be widely felt in the international organ and choral music world.