2004 Conference Presenter

Robert Baca
All-State Jazz Band Conductor

Robert Baca's versatility as a consummate trumpet player and his contributions to music teaching have gained him wide recognition in jazz and classical areas of the performing arts. He received a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music from Indiana University, and has taught privately and in the public school systems for 15 years. He has also worked as a band director in the Lockport, Illinois public schools.

His professional background includes touring as a member of the Frank Sinatra Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Big Band, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Charles Aznavour, the Pia Zadora and Andy Williams Orchestras. He has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony, Phillip Brunelles Plymouth Music Series Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Baca is also active in studio recording and location contract work in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Minneapolis. He is an international performer/clinician for the Selmer-Bach Corporation. Recently, he performed in China, Hong Kong and Costa Rica.

Mr. Baca is an Associate Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Other duties include teaching Jazz Improvisation, Jazz History, directing the first and third Jazz Ensembles, and coordinating one of the nation's largest jazz festivals. In the last four years he has directed the Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska Honors Jazz Ensembles. He was past Vice President of Wisconsin Music Educators Association (Northwest Region) and President of the International Association of Jazz Educators, Wisconsin Chapter.