Other Credits, Honors & Activities
Owner, Rick Baitz Music, a music production space in New York City, focusing on film and concert music, and teaching.
Winner of BMI’s 2018 “Classic Contribution Award” for 10 years of directing and teaching the “Composing For The Screen” film scoring mentoring program in NY.
Awarded “Special Certificate of Appreciation” from BMI to commemorate 10 years of directing “Composing For The Screen”, 2017
In 2013 Michelle Obama launched a hip-hop album aimed at improving America’s health, featuring not only hip-hop pioneer D.M.C., but Rick Baitz. The former First Lady appeared in the videos for the album, produced by the Partnership for a Healthier America and Hip Hop Public Health. The album, titled Songs For A Healthier America, was distributed in schools across America. Rick Baitz’s and Ian James’ song ‘Get Up Sit Up’ is featured on the album, alongside Jordin Sparks, Doug E Fresh, Ryan Beatty, Artie Green, Dr Oz and others. For the full song list and more information, visit here.
Winner of 2009 Composers Assistant Grant from the American Music Center for Chthonic Dances, Part 1, for String Quartet.
Grammy Nomination for WONDROUS LOVE…FEEL THE SPIRIT (Resimiranda Records, 2000). Best Classical Crossover Album. Featuring “WHOʼLL BE A WITNESS”: trad. Gospel melody; Rick Baitz, arranger.
2009 Fellowship to Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Other VCCA Fellowships: 1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991.
MacDowell Fellow: 1982, 1986, 1988.
Fellowships to Yaddo: 1981, 1984, 1984, 1987, 1992.
Fellowship to Edna St. Vincent Millay Colony, 1984.
Fellowship to Edward Albee Foundation, 1983.
Making Music – Arranger and producer of ethnic folk songs for educational music curriculum produced by Silver Burdette Ginn/Scott Foresman (Pearson Entertainment). Music includes African, South Asian, East Asian, Native American, Inuit, Polynesian, Latin American, Middle Eastern and other cultures. 1992-2011.
Expert Witness, Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys – Providing expert testimony in music cases involving intellectual property, plagiarism analysis, music technology, audio engineering and, music education. Current & ongoing.
Meditations For Sound Healing – Composer and producer of healing meditation CD, featuring renowned physician and author Mitch Gaynor. Released July 2006 by The Relaxation Company.
The Better and Better Series (2006) – Composer and audio producer for set of three DVD’s/CD’s of healing meditations, featuring Elizabeth Hepburn. elizabethhepburn.com
Avirex Apparel — Composer, theme music, 2005 advertising campaign.
Moderator, “The Art & Craft of Scoring Indie Films”, Composer Expo, 2008, NYC.
Panelist, “ScoreFest”, 2008, New York City
Panelist, Audio Engineering Society Convention, 2005, NYC: “Music Production for Film/TV: New Technology, New Budgets, New Solutions”.
Panelist, Film Music Network, NYC, 2003: “Scoring for Television: What to Do When They Need It Yesterday”.
Pianist for recordings: The Better And Better Series of healing meditations on CD and DVD, released July, 2006 (see p.1).
Winner of Grand Prize and Chamber Music Award, 1993 Delius Composition Contest (for RIVER OF JANUARY).
RIVER OF JANUARY selected by International Society of Contemporary Music to represent the US in the 1993 World Music Days.
Fellowship to BMI/Earle Hagan Film Scoring Workshop, 1991.
Fellowship to Columbia University School of the Arts Doctoral program in Composition,
1983-1989.
Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director and Pianist, PURE PLAY CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERIES, NYC, 1987-1988.
Nominations for American Academy & Institute of Arts and Letters Music Award: 1985, 1987.
Featured Alumni Composer, Contemporary Music Festival, Manhattan School of Music, 1991.
Meet The Composer Awards: 1985, 1986, 1986, 1991.
Margaret Fairbank Jory Copying Assistance Grant (American Music Center), 1991.
Winner of ASCAP-Rudolf Nissim Fellowship to Tanglewood Music Center, 1980.
First Prize, Manhattan School of Music Orchestral Composition Contest, 1980 (for MUSIC FOR ORCHESTRA).
Award of Merit, National Federation of Music Clubs Orchestral Composition Contest, 1980.