JULIUS BAKER

Julius Baker of Brewster, New York died August 6, 2003 at the age of 87. Baker was born to Max and Jennie on September 23, 1915, in Cleveland, Ohio. Known as an institution in American flute playing, he was one of the most respected and critically acclaimed orchestral flutists of this past century. After graduation from the Curtis Institute in 1937, he joined the Cleveland Orchestra, thus beginning a brilliant professional career of playing with the great orchestras of our time, a career that lasted more than sixty years. He was the principal flutist for such legendary conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Fritz Reiner and Leopold Stokowski. In 1954 Baker joined the faculty of The Juilliard School, where he remained a fixture for close to five decades. In addition, Baker began teaching at The Curtis Institute of Music, his Alma Mater, in 1981 where he recently received an honorary Doctor of Music degree. It is Baker's work with the New York Philharmonic for which he is perhaps best known. It heightened his visibility and brought his incomparable playing to a much wider audience. With a wry wit and playful smile, he was a trusted colleague and good friend to all in the profession. Baker is survived by his wife, Ruth, and three children, Muffy, Jonathan and Jennie, as well as his sister, Jessie Weber. A Service will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2003 2pm at The Old Southeast Church in Brewster. Arrangements are being handled by Beecher Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Landmarks Preservation Society, 43 Oak Street, Brewster. BEECHER FUNERAL HOME 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster (845) 279-3615 www.beecherfuneralhome.com