TN Musician Vol. 76 No. 2

TMEA Presidential Candidate
J.R. BAKER
J.R. BAKER currently serves
as the Fine Arts Coordinator
for Robertson County Schools
where he collaborates with the
district’s visual and performing
arts teachers and advocates for
the arts at the district level.
Mr. Baker began his career in
2002 as the band director at
East Robertson Junior/Senior
High School in Cross Plains,
Tennessee. In 2007 he accepted the position as the Director
of Bands at White House Heritage High School where he
instructed band students in grades 6-12 until 2021. During
his time at White House Heritage, Mr. Baker was part of the
construction planning process of a new building including the
band room and theater. Through his leadership, the fine arts
facilities at White House Heritage became a central location for
the arts in the district, including special events such as county
honor band, district Pre-Assessment concerts, dance recitals,
and hosting a Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra
Association Concert Performance Assessment site. Mr. Baker
was also able to grow the band program at White House
Heritage which led to the addition of an assistant/middle
school director position. The band also had consistent success
on the field and the stage, including several appearances at the
Tennessee State Concert Festival.
During his time in the classroom, Mr. Baker also served as
a Teacher Leader for Robertson County’s 6-12 grade music
teachers where he planned and facilitated professional
development activities for teachers. He also served as the
coordinator for district band events such as honor band,
marching band exhibition, and Pre-Assessment concerts.
His work in these roles led to the creation of the Fine Arts
Coordinator position which he now serves in. Through the
Fine Arts Coordinator position, Mr. Baker has continued to
expand opportunities for students and teachers in Robertson
County and has been able to increase the funding for the arts,
including district funding for marching band uniforms for
all schools.
Originally from Greenbrier, Tennessee, Mr. Baker received
a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the
University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Music
Education degree from Austin Peay State University. Mr. Baker
was named a Robertson County “Making a Difference” Teacher
of the Year in 2013 and is a recipient of the Outstanding
Teacher Award from the Tennessee Governor’s School for
the Arts.
Mr. Baker is currently serving as the Vice President/
Immediate Past President of MTSBOA and the President of
the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. Additionally, he
serves as the MTSBOA Membership Chair and a Mid-State
Band Auditions Coordinator. Mr. Baker also served several
years as an ensemble chair for both MTSBOA and TMEA. His
professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, MTSBOA, TBA,
TMEA, NAfME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Baker lives in
White House with his wife Mitzi, and three daughters, Calla,
Constance, and Mallory.
VISION STATEMENT
As we stand at the precipice of a dynamic era for music
education in the state of Tennessee, I envision a future for
the Tennessee Music Education Association that tackles
challenges head-on while fostering inclusivity, innovation,
and excellence in our professional development initiatives,
particularly the All-State Conference. Addressing the
multifaceted challenges specific to our conference and
those reflective of broader issues in music education, I aspire
to lead TMEA with a vision centered on transformation
and inclusivity:
Accessibility and Equity: We will revolutionize accessibility
by implementing initiatives that alleviate financial barriers.
Partnering with sponsors and exploring digital attendance
options will make the conference more accessible to earlycareer
teachers and educators from rural areas, thus bridging
the equity gap.
Flexibility in Scheduling: Understanding the demands of our
educators, we will restructure the conference schedule to
accommodate more performances and All-State Ensembles.
Offering recordings of sessions and flexible attendance options
will enable teachers to engage fully in the conference while
managing their classroom responsibilities.
Relevance and Engagement: Embracing diversity in
educational needs, we will curate an inclusive program that
resonates with the varied interests and challenges of music
educators statewide. Interactive sessions, diverse workshops,
rehearsal labs, and tailored content will ensure engagement
across all attendees.
Balanced Learning Experience: Crafting a dynamic blend of
traditional lectures, performances, and hands-on workshops
will cater to diverse learning preferences. This balanced
approach will allow music educators to absorb knowledge
effectively and apply innovative techniques in their teaching
practices.
Addressing Broader Issues: TMEA will actively confront
systemic challenges in music education. Initiating dialogues
on teacher burnout, cultural diversity, technology integration,
and advocacy will create a platform that empowers educators
to effect positive change in their classrooms and communities.
Guiding the future of the Tennessee Music Education
Tennessee Music Education Association | www.tnmea.org | 7