News
Rick’s CD Into Light released on Innova Recordings
The CD consists of Rick’s string quartet, Chthonic Dances, featuring violinists Mary Rowell and Joyce Hammann, violist Beth Meyers and cellist Ashley Bathgate; his percussion quartet with live electronics, Hall of Mirrors, commissioned by The Juilliard School’s Center for Innovation In The Arts and featuring Brian Adler on tabla; and his trio Into Light, with Ken Thomson on clarinet; Jessica Meyer, viola, and Stephen Gosling on piano.
Rick Baitz wins BMI’s 2018 “Classic Contribution Award”
Rick Baitz will be issued BMI’s prestigious Classic Contribution Award at BMI’s annual “Film, TV & Visual Media Awards” dinner on May 9, 2018, in Beverly Hills, CA. The award is being given in appreciation for creating and leading BMI’s successful “Composing for the Screen” workshop for the past ten years. Be on the lookout for the announcement and application forms for the 2018 season of “Composing for the Screen,” which runs every fall in New York City.
Rick composes music for Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and FDR Presidential Library installations
Rick recently composed the music for several immersive installations at the newly-opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Years in the planning, developing, and building, the museum takes visitors on a comprehensive voyage through the devastating, sobering and yet at times uplifting stories of those who dedicated their lives to the fight for equality for all Americans, regardless of race. Rick also composed the soundtrack to 24 Hours That Changed History, for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum.
Rick composes episode of “We Speak New York”
Rick recently composed the score to an episode of the web series “We Speak New York,” produced by the Mayor’s Office of immigrant Affairs. The soundtrack is a mash-up of Mexican and Chinese musical styles.
Rick is faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts
Rick remains a core faculty member of VCFA’s progressive low-residency MFA program in Music Composition, having stepped down as Chair after four exciting years. VCFA offers mentorship in contemporary composition, music for media, jazz composition, electronic music and songwriting.
Rick opens new project studio in upper Manhattan
May 1 marks the one-year anniversary of Rick’s move from midtown Manhattan, where he had studios for 20 years, to 137th and Riverside, where he has 3 times as much space and 4 windows that look out on Riverside Park. He likes the energy of the neighborhood, which is both vibrant and chill at the same time (compared to “bustling” 29th Street), the room for his library and instrument collection, the proximity to home, and the surrounding arts community. He recently completed massive sound treatment and is hearing things in his music he didn’t even know were there. Mostly he loves them…