Kwantlen Langley students receive the gift of music from Vancouver composer

Wed, Mar 4, 2009
Renowned composer Michael Conway Baker donates recording equipment worth $75,000 to the Kwantlen Polytechnic University music program.

For immediate release

March 5, 2009

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Renowned composer Michael Conway Baker has made a donation of recording equipment to the Kwantlen Polytechnic University music program which will create new possibilities for students studying music at the university's Langley Campus. 

“To be able to create the opportunity of an enriched musical education for talented young musicians is extremely gratifying,” said Baker. "I have composed a great deal of my music using this equipment and it gives me great satisfaction to know that so many will have the opportunity to learn from its use."

Michael Conway Baker is a leading composer with over 200 film, television and video scores to his credit. Influenced by his background in writing concert music, Baker has been honoured with many prestigious awards and numerous nominations, including three Genie Awards, one Juno and one ACTRA (now called Gemini) for Best Score for a TV Series. He has composed for the National Ballet of Canada, Fanfare to Expo '86 in Vancouver, music for several TV episodes of Road to Avonlea, and is the only classical composer inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1997, Baker was awarded the Order of British Columbia.

Because of Baker’s relationship with Kwantlen, Baker decided to donate his recording studio, valued at $75,000, to the university’s music department. As a former educator, Baker values the education and experience that can be passed on to future generations. 

Since 2004, the Kwantlen Wind Ensemble has premiered five of Baker’s compositions. Most recently, the ensemble performed a Baker composition at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts. Baker has also been a guest speaker at numerous Kwantlen student events. 

“Mr. Baker’s gift enhances the music department’s ability to offer courses in composition and arranging for film, digital media, theatre, dance and music performance,” said dean of humanities Linda Schwartz. “Offering students innovative learning experiences with a mix of older and current technologies creates opportunities for sonic and digital music research and creation of cross-disciplinary works. We are grateful to Mr. Baker for his generous gift.”

The Kwantlen Foundation was established in 2000 and raises funds to create quality, life-long learning opportunities for Kwantlen students to achieve personal, social and career success. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.kwantlen.ca/foundation or call (604) 599-2010.

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For more information about this donation, contact:
Jeff Norris
Executive Director, Kwantlen Foundation
Tel: 604.599.2264
jeff.norris@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca