Composer

Matt’s diverse composition credits range from large-scale choral works to intimate studio theatre pieces. He has an enviable number of songs to his name, many of which are well known for their striking, memorable or tear-jerkng melodies and often sumptuous harmonies. He has also built up a strong reputation for providing atmospheric, almost ‘filmic’ underscore for many of his theatre pieces. He has composed for professional, musical, children’s, community, youth and outdoor theatre as well as many pieces for Theatre In Education. Matt has also written individual items ranging from Christmas carols and organ voluntaries to pop songs.

Theatre in the Quarter
Matt is artistic director and composer of this new and exciting musical theatre company, based in Chester. The company provides new opportunities for professional, community and young people’s theatre for the city and beyond. Productions so far include;

Some Sunny Day (2005)

Sweet Sixteen (2006)

The Twelve Days of Christmas (2006)

Garden Lane The Musical (2008),

Silent Night (2008),

Home For Christmas (2009).

Coming up for 2010;  James and Forgotten Fortress.

Dukes Lancaster
Matt has been composer for three successful productions at the Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and A Christmas Carol; All receiving high acclaim:

“Evocative music….this is a production that helps establish the Dukes as a major playor in provincial theatre and an example of best practice in municipal enterprise. Hugo would be well pleased. ” (Morning Star).
“..and the music score is a sheer delight. It’s beautifully sung and played too by an excellent cast. The Dukes must produce a CD of the show’s soundtrack – what a splendid stocking-filler it would make!” (www.lancasterukonline.net).
“The musical direction, by Matt Baker, was one of the highlights of the show, and the lovely arrangements of festive tunes were performed beautifully by the cast, providing a fantastic accompaniment to the dramatic action.” (The Westmorland Gazette)
“..talented and exuberant carol singing..” (The Stage)

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
Arabels’ Raven (2004) Grimm’s Fairy Tales (2005) Shoah (2006) It Was A Dark and Stormy Night (2006) James and The Giant Peach (2008), Alice in Wonderland (2010) - Director: Russ Tunney.

Action Transport Theatre
Matt has composed the music for many pieces of theatre with Action Transport Theatre. Touring pieces include Cover Up, Dumisani’s Drum, Tidelines and Arabian Nights. Large Scale community pieces include The Pool Of Dreams, Macbeth and Comedy Of Errors. Youth Theatre Pieces include Joby andWatchingThe Detectives. Matt also composed music for the ‘Jack’ trlogy of plays in conjunction with the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester: Jack In The Junk Box, Jack and The Little Fir Tree and Jack’s Midnight Surprise.

Chester Mystery Plays
Following the huge success of his music in the 2003 cycle, Matt successfully built upon his work for the 2008 cycle, also to high acclaim. and with a company of over 300 performers.

Other Compositions include:

• ‘We’ll Be There’ as part of the Tsunami Appeal (Chester Voices).
• ‘V.E Voices’ to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2. (Chester Voices).
• ‘City For The Games’, official Olympic Bid Anthem for Manchester 2000.
• ‘Liverpool Bids Farewell‘ for Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2002.
• ‘From The Ocean to the Stars’ for the opening of the Liverpool World Museum 2005.
• Many compositions for Jigsaw Children’s Music Theatre, Chester
• The Prioress’ Tale (by Helen Newall) Opera for Cheshire’s Millennium Celebrations.
• ‘We Live Here Still’ (2009) with words by Andrew Rudd, performed by Frodsham and District Choral Society to celebrate the town’s 900th anniversary.
• ‘Gloria’ (Organ and SATB) ‘Battle’ festival, Battle Church, July 2006.
• A number of Carols, settings and organ voluntaries.