Edwin Barker Joins Indiana Universitys Jacobs School of Music as Visiting Professor of Double Bass

From the podium of the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the lecture hall of Indiana University, Edwin Barker is set to bring his 48‑year legacy to the Jacobs School of Music. The former principal double bass of the BSO will assume the role of Visiting Professor of Music on August 1, 2026, joining faculty members Kurt Muroki and jazz bassist Jeremy Allen.

Barker’s tenure with the BSO, which spanned from 1977 to 2024, began when he was appointed principal double bass at the age of 22—the youngest principal in the orchestra’s history. During those decades he performed worldwide, premiered several bass concertos written for him, and recorded with the BSO, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Collage New Music, and the Boston Chamber Music Society. His discography includes a Grammy‑nominated recording of the 2022 season highlights and a 2021 Collage New Music album featuring his solo performance of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass.

Barker earned his degrees from the New England Conservatory, studying double bass under Henry Portnoi and working with Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana, and David Perleman. While a student he secured a position in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and after graduation he joined the BSO as principal bass until his retirement announcement in July 2024.

Beyond the stage, Barker has cultivated a broad teaching portfolio. He serves as an associate professor at Boston University College of Fine Arts, where he teaches double bass, orchestral techniques, and chamber music. He also teaches at the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland and has chaired instrumental and orchestral studies at the BSO’s Tanglewood Music Center.

Indiana University announced the appointment on social media, noting that Barker brings an “extraordinary legacy” to the Jacobs School. The post highlighted his Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership at Tanglewood, and added that his mentorship has helped former students secure positions in major orchestras worldwide.

The addition of Barker to the Jacobs faculty is expected to elevate the school’s standing in classical performance education. Students will benefit from direct instruction by a principal bass who has performed with one of the world’s leading orchestras and who has a proven record of preparing musicians for professional careers. The appointment also reflects a broader trend of distinguished performers transitioning to academic roles after long orchestral careers.

Barker’s recording work, which includes the Grammy‑nominated 2023 release of the BSO’s 2022 season highlights and the 2021 Collage New Music album, showcases his versatility and serves as pedagogical resources for students studying contemporary repertoire. Chamber works such as Michael Gandolfi’s Plain Song and Henri Dutilleux’s Les Citations, recorded with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, further illustrate his breadth.

Jacobs School of Music’s faculty director, Dr. Laura Harris, noted that Barker’s arrival will strengthen the department’s curriculum and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn from a performer who has shaped the double bass repertoire in the United States. She added that his mentorship will complement the existing expertise of the faculty.

Barker will begin his duties on August 1, 2026. No further details on the length of his contract or additional responsibilities have been released. The Jacobs School of Music community anticipates his contributions to the double bass program and to the broader music department.