Edwin Barker Appointed Visiting Professor of Double Bass at Indiana Universitys Jacobs School of Music
The world of orchestral bass has gained a new academic anchor as Edwin Barker, the long‑time principal bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), was named visiting professor of double bass at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. The announcement, made on 26 May 2026, comes with a start date of 1 August 2026, placing Barker at the helm of the school’s growing string program.
Barker’s path to this role began in Boston, where he earned a Bachelor of Music from the New England Conservatory in 1976 under the guidance of Henry Portnoi. He later studied with Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana and David Perleman, building a foundation that would serve him for a career spanning nearly five decades in the BSO’s bass section.
At just 22, while still a member of the Chicago Symphony, Barker was appointed principal bassist of the BSO, a position he maintained until 2024. During that tenure he appeared in more than 1,200 concerts, recorded dozens of studio and live projects, and earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2009 for a BSO recording. His performance record is complemented by a series of international engagements, including a 1995 invitation from Sir Georg Solti to lead the bass section of the United Nations’ Musicians of the World program.
Barker’s contributions to bass performance and education have been formally recognized by the International Society of Bassists, which awarded him the Distinguished Achievement Award in 1996 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. These honors underscore his influence on the instrument’s pedagogy and repertoire.
Beyond the BSO, Barker has shaped generations of musicians through teaching positions at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, the Tanglewood Music Center, and the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute. His students have secured posts in world‑class orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, reflecting the high standards he brings to instruction.
Jacobs School’s social‑media announcement celebrated Barker’s arrival with the message: “Professor Barker brings an extraordinary legacy to Jacobs. The long‑time Principal Double Bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, his distinguished career includes a Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership roles at the Tanglewood Music Center. As an educator, his world‑class mentorship has successfully placed former students in major orchestras worldwide. 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 dual focus on performance excellence and rigorous pedagogy.
Barker’s addition comes as Jacobs expands its string department, now featuring faculty such as Kurt Muroki and jazz bassist Jeremy Allen. School leadership emphasized that his presence will reinforce the program’s reputation for producing orchestral professionals and provide students with direct access to a performer who has shaped the American orchestral landscape for nearly half a century. He will teach courses in double‑bass technique, orchestral repertoire, and solo performance, and is slated to conduct masterclasses and workshops throughout the 2026‑2027 academic year.
While the official start date is 1 August, the school plans an introductory lecture series in late July to acclimate students to Barker’s teaching style. No touring or recording commitments have been announced, allowing him to focus fully on his new responsibilities at Indiana University. The appointment marks a significant enrichment of Jacobs School’s faculty roster and offers students a rare opportunity to learn from one of contemporary classical music’s most respected double‑bassists.
