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Edwin Barker to Join Indiana Universitys Jacobs School of Music as Visiting Double Bass Professor
Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music announced that American double bassist Edwin Barker will join the faculty as a visiting professor of music in double bass, effective August 1, 2026. Barker, who served as principal double bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for nearly five decades, will bring a wealth of performance and pedagogical experience to the school’s conservatory program.
Barker earned a degree with honors from the New England Conservatory in 1976, where he studied under Henry Portnoi. He also received instruction from Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana, and David Perleman. The conservatory’s curriculum and Portnoi’s mentorship helped shape Barker’s technical foundation and interpretive approach.
At age 22, Barker was appointed principal double bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). He held that position from 1976 until 2024, performing in more than 1,500 concerts and recordings with the BSO’s resident conductor, music director, and guest conductors. His tenure included participation in the BSO’s summer residency at Tanglewood and collaborations with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players.
Barker’s international profile expanded through leadership roles and awards. In 1995, Sir Georg Solti selected him to lead the bass section of the United Nations’ Musicians of the World program. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his solo recording of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass. In 2025, the International Society of Bassists honored him with its Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the instrument’s repertoire and pedagogy.
Beyond performance, Barker has built a substantial teaching career. He is an associate professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and has served as chairman of instrumental and orchestral studies at the Tanglewood Music Center. He has also taught at the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute, mentoring students who have gone on to positions in major orchestras worldwide.
The Jacobs School of Music’s announcement highlighted Barker’s legacy, noting that his “world‑class mentorship has successfully placed former students in major orchestras worldwide.” The school emphasized that his experience as a principal bassist and educator will enrich the curriculum for double bass students and broaden the program’s connections to professional ensembles.
The Jacobs School of Music, founded in 1921 and renamed in 2005, is one of the largest music schools in the United States, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees in performance, music business, and technology. Its orchestral studies program has produced faculty and alumni who hold positions in major orchestras worldwide.
Barker will begin his role on August 1, 2026, and is expected to conduct masterclasses, individual lessons, and ensemble coaching for the 2026–2027 academic year. The appointment follows the school’s recent expansion of its orchestral studies department and aligns with its goal of attracting faculty with extensive professional and academic credentials. No additional touring or recording commitments have been announced for Barker in relation to his new position.
The school’s social media post congratulated Barker, stating: “Please join us in welcoming Professor Barker! We are honoured to have him inspire and mentor our students this upcoming academic year.” The post highlighted his Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership at Tanglewood.
The appointment is part of a broader trend of institutions recruiting seasoned orchestral musicians to strengthen their conservatory programs. While Barker’s future schedule will include teaching responsibilities, he is likely to maintain his involvement in select performances and recordings, as he has done throughout his career. The Jacobs School of Music has not yet released a detailed timetable for Barker’s courses or masterclasses.
Barker earned a degree with honors from the New England Conservatory in 1976, where he studied under Henry Portnoi. He also received instruction from Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana, and David Perleman. The conservatory’s curriculum and Portnoi’s mentorship helped shape Barker’s technical foundation and interpretive approach.
At age 22, Barker was appointed principal double bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). He held that position from 1976 until 2024, performing in more than 1,500 concerts and recordings with the BSO’s resident conductor, music director, and guest conductors. His tenure included participation in the BSO’s summer residency at Tanglewood and collaborations with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players.
Barker’s international profile expanded through leadership roles and awards. In 1995, Sir Georg Solti selected him to lead the bass section of the United Nations’ Musicians of the World program. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his solo recording of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass. In 2025, the International Society of Bassists honored him with its Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the instrument’s repertoire and pedagogy.
Beyond performance, Barker has built a substantial teaching career. He is an associate professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and has served as chairman of instrumental and orchestral studies at the Tanglewood Music Center. He has also taught at the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute, mentoring students who have gone on to positions in major orchestras worldwide.
The Jacobs School of Music’s announcement highlighted Barker’s legacy, noting that his “world‑class mentorship has successfully placed former students in major orchestras worldwide.” The school emphasized that his experience as a principal bassist and educator will enrich the curriculum for double bass students and broaden the program’s connections to professional ensembles.
The Jacobs School of Music, founded in 1921 and renamed in 2005, is one of the largest music schools in the United States, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees in performance, music business, and technology. Its orchestral studies program has produced faculty and alumni who hold positions in major orchestras worldwide.
Barker will begin his role on August 1, 2026, and is expected to conduct masterclasses, individual lessons, and ensemble coaching for the 2026–2027 academic year. The appointment follows the school’s recent expansion of its orchestral studies department and aligns with its goal of attracting faculty with extensive professional and academic credentials. No additional touring or recording commitments have been announced for Barker in relation to his new position.
The school’s social media post congratulated Barker, stating: “Please join us in welcoming Professor Barker! We are honoured to have him inspire and mentor our students this upcoming academic year.” The post highlighted his Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership at Tanglewood.
The appointment is part of a broader trend of institutions recruiting seasoned orchestral musicians to strengthen their conservatory programs. While Barker’s future schedule will include teaching responsibilities, he is likely to maintain his involvement in select performances and recordings, as he has done throughout his career. The Jacobs School of Music has not yet released a detailed timetable for Barker’s courses or masterclasses.
