Leigh Baker was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire in 1970 and began playing the euphonium at the age of ten with Melton Borough Band. After leaving school he studied at The University of Huddersfield and achieved B.A.(Hons.) and P.G.C.E.
Whilst at University he studied the Euphonium under Geoffrey Whitham and became a member of The Brighouse and Rastrick Band in 1990, playing euphonium for a time before settling on Solo Baritone with the famous Yorkshire Band, enjoying many high profile contest wins and prestigious concert appearances. In addition to his instrumental role, Leigh is now Resident Conductor and Composer and Arranger in Residence at B & R.
He is also Head of Music at the Honley High School, Huddersfield and has helped make this a very successful musical establishment. A prolific arranger for bands and soloists, “Roman Triptych” was his first test piece used for contesting purposes and shows off his lyrical qualities plus the detailed knowledge acquired by playing for many years at the highest level.
Many of Leigh’s solo compositions and arrangements have been recorded by some of the movement’s high profile soloists, such as Melvyn Bathgate, David Childs, Michael Howley, Alan Morrison, Shaun Crowther and Jonathan Pippen.