ArtistDirect News
Edwin Barker Appointed Visiting Professor of Double Bass at Indiana Universitys Jacobs School of Music
A double‑bass legend is taking the stage in a new role: on 30 June 2026, Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music announced that Edwin Barker will join its faculty as a visiting professor of music in double bass, beginning on 1 August 2026.
Barker earned his degrees at the New England Conservatory, where he studied under Henry Portnoi before refining his technique with Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana and David Perleman. At the age of 22 he was appointed principal double bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), a position he held for nearly five decades. The BSO ranks among the United States’ five major orchestras, and Barker’s tenure included collaborations with resident conductor Sir Georg Solti, who in 1995 chose him to lead the bass section of the United Nations’ Musicians of the World program.
In 2025 Barker was honored with the International Society of Bassists’ Distinguished Achievement Award, the organization’s highest accolade. Beyond performance, he has a long record of teaching: he is an associate professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, has served as chairman of instrumental and orchestral studies at the Tanglewood Music Center, and has taught at the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute.
Jacobs School officials welcomed the appointment on social media, describing Barker’s “extraordinary legacy” and “world‑class mentorship.” The message highlighted his Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership roles at Tanglewood. By adding Barker, the school expands its faculty of string players and continues a tradition of recruiting prominent performers to enrich its academic community.
Barker’s move to Indiana University fits a broader trend of universities bringing seasoned orchestral musicians into academia. Such faculty members provide students with direct insight into professional orchestral life and contemporary performance practice. His background also includes work with the United Nations’ Musicians of the World, underscoring a commitment to music as a tool for diplomacy.
Colleagues have described Barker’s leadership style as collaborative and supportive. He has steered the BSO’s bass section for decades, contributing to the orchestra’s bass repertoire and performance standards. The International Society of Bassists, which awarded him in 2025, promotes bass players through education, performance, and research, and its Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes lifetime contributions to the field.
Barker’s appointment will begin with the 2026–2027 academic year. He will teach individual and ensemble classes and is expected to conduct masterclasses and workshops for the Jacobs School’s broader music community. The announcement was made on 30 June 2026, the same day the school posted a celebratory message on its official channels.
The move to Indiana University does not affect Barker’s ongoing commitments with the BSO, which continues to schedule regular performances and recordings. He will maintain his principal position while teaching at Jacobs.
Jacobs School of Music is part of Indiana University’s larger music program, which includes the School of Performing Arts and the School of Music and Dance. The addition of Barker strengthens the school’s reputation for high‑level orchestral instruction.
In summary, Edwin Barker’s appointment as visiting professor of double bass at Jacobs School of Music brings a veteran performer and educator with nearly 50 years of orchestral experience, a distinguished teaching record, and international recognition to the Indiana University faculty. The school anticipates that Barker’s presence will enhance the educational experience for students and reinforce Jacobs’ standing as a leading institution for orchestral training.
Barker earned his degrees at the New England Conservatory, where he studied under Henry Portnoi before refining his technique with Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana and David Perleman. At the age of 22 he was appointed principal double bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), a position he held for nearly five decades. The BSO ranks among the United States’ five major orchestras, and Barker’s tenure included collaborations with resident conductor Sir Georg Solti, who in 1995 chose him to lead the bass section of the United Nations’ Musicians of the World program.
In 2025 Barker was honored with the International Society of Bassists’ Distinguished Achievement Award, the organization’s highest accolade. Beyond performance, he has a long record of teaching: he is an associate professor at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, has served as chairman of instrumental and orchestral studies at the Tanglewood Music Center, and has taught at the University of Maryland’s National Orchestral Institute.
Jacobs School officials welcomed the appointment on social media, describing Barker’s “extraordinary legacy” and “world‑class mentorship.” The message highlighted his Grammy nomination, international solo appearances, and leadership roles at Tanglewood. By adding Barker, the school expands its faculty of string players and continues a tradition of recruiting prominent performers to enrich its academic community.
Barker’s move to Indiana University fits a broader trend of universities bringing seasoned orchestral musicians into academia. Such faculty members provide students with direct insight into professional orchestral life and contemporary performance practice. His background also includes work with the United Nations’ Musicians of the World, underscoring a commitment to music as a tool for diplomacy.
Colleagues have described Barker’s leadership style as collaborative and supportive. He has steered the BSO’s bass section for decades, contributing to the orchestra’s bass repertoire and performance standards. The International Society of Bassists, which awarded him in 2025, promotes bass players through education, performance, and research, and its Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes lifetime contributions to the field.
Barker’s appointment will begin with the 2026–2027 academic year. He will teach individual and ensemble classes and is expected to conduct masterclasses and workshops for the Jacobs School’s broader music community. The announcement was made on 30 June 2026, the same day the school posted a celebratory message on its official channels.
The move to Indiana University does not affect Barker’s ongoing commitments with the BSO, which continues to schedule regular performances and recordings. He will maintain his principal position while teaching at Jacobs.
Jacobs School of Music is part of Indiana University’s larger music program, which includes the School of Performing Arts and the School of Music and Dance. The addition of Barker strengthens the school’s reputation for high‑level orchestral instruction.
In summary, Edwin Barker’s appointment as visiting professor of double bass at Jacobs School of Music brings a veteran performer and educator with nearly 50 years of orchestral experience, a distinguished teaching record, and international recognition to the Indiana University faculty. The school anticipates that Barker’s presence will enhance the educational experience for students and reinforce Jacobs’ standing as a leading institution for orchestral training.