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 sumptious 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 founder , artistic director and composer of this new and exciting musical theatre company, based in the Garden Quarter (close by University of Chester) of the city. The company aims to provide new opportunities for professional, community and young people's theatre for the city and beyond. The first production 'Some Sunny Day' (based on real experiences of local people during the Second World War) was a complete sell out and provided a wonderful beginning for the company. 'Sweet Sixteen' was the second sell out success, performing at the Gateway Theatre, Chester in September 2006. This was followed by their first large scale professional and community production 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', performed to full houses, and great acclaim, in St Thomas of Canterbury Church in December 2006
Hunchback of Notre Dame - Dukes Lancaster "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). Matt was comissioned as composer and musical director for this epic production at the Dukes.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Dukes Lancaster Matt was composer and musical director for this, the 20th Anniversary production of the UK's largest walkabout theatre experience. The music that he composed was very evocative of the American deep south of the 19th Century. Vocal music was performed by the talented cast, and several of Matt's negro spirituals were sung beautifully by Jade Willis, who played the part of Jim - to great acclaim.
Chester Mystery Plays 2008 Following his same role in the 2003 production, Matt has exciting plans for the 2008 event. 'There will be new music, new dance - we're exploring new music possibilities and different musical genres,' he said. 'The aim is to appeal to an even more widely diverse audience.
'With the underlying theme of universal conflict between good and evil, it allows unlimited possibilities to reflect this in music. So much can be achieved using the wonders of modern music technology and we will be using it as creatively as possible for full effect. The wide range of emotion in the plays makes them almost unique in the broad spectrum they offer for new musical composition.'
A Christmas Carol - Dukes Lancaster Matt's role as musical director for this sell -out Christmas production involved arranging many well known carols, composing a few more and creating the filmic underscore to the whole production. The piece was wonderfully received. "..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)
Grimm's Fairy Tales Matt was composer and musical director of this Nuffield Theatre Southampton's UK tour of Grimm's Fairy Tales, directed by Russ Tunney. He has also , more recently, composed the music for the UK tour of 'Shoah' and the UK Tour of 'It Was A Dark And Stormy Night'
Liverpool World Museum Anthem Matt composed the anthem 'From The Ocean To The Stars' which was performed by 100 children from around Merseyside at the official opening of the Liverpool World Museum. Lloyd Grossman described it as '..the world's first museum anthem.' Matt has also composed a musical play 'Blackspot on the Mersey' for Liverpool Maritime Museum (2000), and his musical 'Unsinkable' (Story of the Titanic) was performed at the museum by Jigsaw Music Theatre during the Titanic Festival.
Action Transport Theatre Company Matt has composed the music for many pieces of theatre with Action Transport Theatre. Touring pices 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 Pices include Joby, WatchingThe 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.
The Chester Mystery Plays 2003 Matt was both composer and musical director for the highly acclaimed Mystery Plays 2003. Directed by Robin Goddard. There was a large cast of 200 including musicians and a 40 strong samba drumming group. Some press comments from the 2003 production:
"Noah's Flood … brimmed with exuberance, humour and passion" "music lifts the Plays on to another level and the range of the work… is outstanding" " I've been entertained, moved and inspired by … a magnificent theatrical experience." (Angela Heslop on BBC Radio Merseyside)
'"Stunning music by local composer Matt Baker, commissioned specially" "a huge success and received a rapturous reception from the audience" "the music and singing… is a delight throughout" (Theatreworld Internet Magazine)
"Composer Matt Baker wanted to raise the hair on our heads, and he succeeded" (Chester Chronicle)
"A great spectacle." "Well worth the trip"
(BBC Northwest Tonight )
Chester Voices Matt has composed two large anthems for combined large choirs of Chester - notably City of Chester Male Voice Choir, The Chester Ladies Choir, Kelsborrow Choir, A Handbag of Harmonies and several children's choirs. He composed 'We'll Be There' as part of the Tsunami Appeal, and 'V.E Voices' to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2.
Manchester Olympics Together with children from Barlow RC High School in Manchester, Matt composed the official Olympic Bid Anthem for Manchester 2000, entitled 'City For The Games.
Arabel's Raven Matt composed the music for this Nuffiled Theatre Southamptons UK Tour of Arabel's Raven by Joan Aiken.
Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2002 Matt composed the anthem 'Liverpool Bids Farewell' which was performed by 200 children from acros the region at the Clippper Round the World Yacht Race celebrations.
Jigsaw Children's Music Theatre (Chester) Matt has been composer/musical director with this Chester based children's music theatre company for twelve years. The members are encouraged to develop and celebrate their skills in devising, acting, movement, playing instruments on stage and even leading workshop activities themselves. Original musical productions include Call for Merlin, Charlie Prince; Rock Idol Of The Town, Big Nose (by Helen Newall),The Girl With No Name, The Last Village, The Selfish Giant, Unsinkable, Going Underground,
The Village Cross, The Roses of Eyam and The Princess Who Couldn't Sing and The Brutal Truth.
The Spring Stone Matt composed the Young People's Opera 'Spring Stone' (based on the Prioress' Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales) for Cheshire's Millennium Celebrations. The play was written by Helen Newall and performed in Chester Cathedral.
Chester Gateway/Cheshire Youth Theatre Matt has been composer and musical director for several collaborative large scale productions with Chester Gateway Theatre and Cheshire County Youth Theatre. These include Polychronicion (2000), Midsummer Nights Dream (2001)
Beowulf (2002) and Frankenstien (2003),
Church Music: Matt has composed a number of Christmas Carols, including 'World's Desire', 'Sir Christemas' and 'Jesus Christ The Apple Tree' - (SATB and organ) and a number of organ pieces including 'Festal Voluntary'. Matt has also arranged many pieces for organ, choir and band. Matt's most recently comissioned choral work is an 8 minute work 'Gloria' for choir and organ (first performed at 'Battle' festival, Battle Church, July 2006)
